SLC in retrospect

KATHMANDU, March 27: Another batch of students, a total of 547,165, appeared for their School Leaving Certificate (SLC) Examinations this year. Many of those who did their schooling in Nepal are familiar with SLC and all the preparations and pressures that come with it. We take seven students from Asian College of Higher Studies in Patan down their SLC memory lane and talk about the good and bad in this event.[break]





Republica

Back L to R: Sujata Bhujel, Pritam Shakya, Bikram K Pandey, Kumar Chemjong, Front L to R: Nirjana Shrestha, Swechha Adhikari, Prakriti Sharma



Participants:

1. Bikram K Pandey, Class 11, Hotel Management

2. Swechha Adhikari, Class 11, Hotel Management

3. Pritam Shakya, Class 11, Computer Science

4. Kumar Chemjong, Class 11, Business Studies

5. Sujata Bhujel, 1st year BBS

6. Nirjana Shrestha, Class 11, Business Studies

7. Prakriti Sharma, 11, Computer Science



When thinking of your SLC days, what comes to mind?

Sujata: The image of the Iron Gate and the fact that it decides our future.

Bikram: I stayed in hostel, so I remember those days when we didn’t have enough sleep because we would always go to bed late and be woken up early morning to study.

Pritam: I remember the days when stayed up late at nights to study.

Prakriti: For me, those days were about studying. We had to be in school from 6 am to 6 pm.



Do you think SLC deserves the ‘Iron Gate’ title that it’s often given?

Nirjana: I don’t think we can refer to SLC exams as an ‘Iron Gate’ because the academics in plus two levels are even more difficult.

Swechha: The ‘Iron Gate’ reference could’ve been justifiable had SLC exams been fair, lawful and strict about students giving their exams properly.

Kumar: After SLC, other ‘golden gates’ open up for us. So in this sense, SLC is an Iron Gate.

Sujata: I would say that successfully completing SLC exams is the first step of the ladder for students.

Prakriti: Even after SLC, we still have more years left to study. So I don’t think it truly is an Iron Gate.

Pritam: Class 11 and 12 are tougher than SLC. SLC actually isn’t very challenging, so it’s not really an Iron Gate.

Bikram: In today’s context, no. But during the previous generations, it used to be. There’s a vast difference in the importance and value of SLC now and then.



What would you say is the positive aspects of SLC?

Kumar: It increases your efficiency and because you have to study a lot, you find out what preparation method works best for you.

Swechha: After you finish your SLC, you tend to feel a bit grown up. It brings a sense of maturity, although that doesn’t last long (giggles).

Nirjana: Sitting for the SLC exam gives you a sort of self-confidence, I think.



Negative aspects of SLC?

Bikram: There are a lot of discrepancies when it comes to checking the answer papers. Both students and teachers who check the papers are to blame for this. We hear of so many ill practices and corrupt activities related to how the papers are checked. Which I think is for real because I’ve seen so many people who’ve done really well in their exams get very low marks whereas people who haven’t worked hard get good percentages in the end.

Prakriti: I speak from my own experience. I’ve seen incidents like a teacher writing down the answer on the white board during the examination because apparently the students paid the invigilators off. Also, parents give so much importance to SLC! As if there are no other exams after that which we would have to sit for.

Kumar: There’s a lot of family pressure during the SLC time which is not healthy for the students.

Pritam: SLC can ruin a student’s life in the sense that if a student scores only lesser percentage than required, then the student isn’t allowed to join the faculty they want to in their Plus Two levels.



What improvements should be brought to the existing SLC practice?

Nirjana: Teachers mostly focus on three subjects: science, math and optional math. Coaching classes are also provided for these subjects only. However, the focus should also be on helping students in other subjects because some students might find other subjects difficult.

Sujata: I agree. Mostly, Nepali as a subject is thought to be very easy. But many students fail in this subject in their SLC. So other subjects should also be given priority.

Kumar: Emphasis should be given to practical knowledge and learning methods, not rote learning.

Prakriti: There shouldn’t be bias when it comes to checking answer papers.

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