Technical education for SLC-failed students

ILAM, June 25: A lot of students don't make up in exams be it at the primary level or, secondary level or at the university level. Not everyone that studies gets through in good grades. Many education reformists have time and again stressed on the fact all human brains are not shaped alike. Everyone is different and thus differently able.

Theoretically many of those students who failed this year's SLC examination and some of the parents will agree to this- because they know this is true. Our education system restricts higher studies for students who fail to get through SLC. That is the law. But that law does not answer the question that keeps knocking in the mind of those students who could not make through the examination that is infamously dubbed as the 'iron gate': What future does our education system has for me in store?

Until some years back the answer would have been - 'nothing. Your education ends here'. However, things have changed lately. In fact they just got better. Now such students can continue their education further even if they don't make through SLC. The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has been able to offer technical skills development courses for such students. So, instead of getting disappointed, seeing friends who are busy selecting colleges for pursuing higher studies, , SLC failed students now should get to work and pick a college that offers CTEVT special courses.

Designed specially for such students, under the Technical Education in Community Schools (TECS) program, these 29-month duration courses are tailored to impart job-oriented professional skills to students. Unlike other technical courses that are offered by schools and colleges in only major cities across the country, TECS courses are offered by a community school in each of the 73 districts across the nation. Students can choose courses of their choice that include Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) in agriculture, Information Technology in computer, Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery (ANM) in health, and Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) in veterinary, among others. Along with being specifically job-oriented, these courses are affordable too.

In a country, where unemployment and poverty is rampant, earning an advanced university degree and than starting to earn a living for the family after, is a distant dream for most of us. Along with that, many of the college degree holders remain unemployed due to the general nature of the education they have. This might not hold true for all the unemployed youths, but one thing that parents and students concede to is that technical education is the fastest, easiest and sure way to start earning as soon as one gets out of the college. "There are many students in the country who have earned higher education certificates. But the numbers of students obtaining vocational training are less in numbers and so it employment rate," said Jeevan Narayan Bhandari, expansion unit chief of CTEVT, while stating the objective behind introducing such courses. Bhandari said that the program has designed diverse courses to fit into the abilities and desire of a diverse range of students.

Short-term courses

As a developing nation, Nepal is even in more acute need for technical human resources. But the fact is being realized more acutely nowadays, as the nation strives to rebuild itself. Following the catastrophic earthquake, demand for skilled human resources is all time high. Keeping that in mind, the CTEVT has also introduced three-month long special courses: electricians, mechanics, plumber, mason, and carpenter, among others. "These courses are specially designed to provide a fast track option to individuals who want to be instantly employed," Bhandari said. The skill development project of CTEVT aims to provide job-oriented vocational training to 45,000 students and deliver the nation's human resource market with proficient manpower within five years. "We have already provided training for 18,000 students and we look forward to meet our objective in the days ahead," he added.

Opportunities in Animal Science

CTEVT has been providing Animal Science courses through Jitpur Higher Secondary of Jitpur, Illam district, since the past four years. At present, the course runs in five community schools of five districts, including Illam. As the country is highly dependent on animal husbandry and agriculture, students holding degree in Animal Science have better chances of getting employed when they finish their studies.

Khadanand Adhikari, principal of the school, informed that the course is available to SLC failed students, as well, from this year onwards. Entrance exam for the course will be held during mid-July. With admission fees amounting to Rs 12,000 and monthly fees of just Rs 500, the institute enrolls a maximum of 40 students for the course. "The course was previously meant only for SLC passed students. However, the decision to include SLC failed students was taken this year to give them a better option for continuing their studies," said Adhikari, adding that the course is highly fruitful and job-assurance is a major plus point.

Dr. Nishant Shah, course coordinator at the college, informed that the course has impressive qualifying rates among the students and this he informed has attracted many students to pursue it. 27 out of the total 34-first year students passed in the first year examinations while 12 of 13 second-year student passed in the second year examinations.

Polytechnic Institute Opening Soon

Options for students of eastern development region for receiving technical education will add up next year with the opening of Ratnakumar Bantawa Polytechnic Institute. This Rumdali, Ilam based institute was supposed to come into operation this year, but due disruption in construction of its ten-building campus by the earthquake, it has been delayed.

This CTEVT promoted institute specially aims at providing technical education to students from remote areas, Bhandari informed informing locals have donated 168 ropanis land for the institute. Ten buildings of the institute is under-construction in Rumdali. Locals have donated 168 ropanis of land for the project.

Though the institute plans to provide three courses initially, CTEVT aims to develop it as premier institute in the region that will provide wide range of technical courses. With a capacity of enrolling 360 students in an academic year, it will provide diploma courses in animal health, crop science and food and dairy science.

"The institute is offering these courses because they carry maximum employment possibilities in the hilly areas of Mechi zone," said Bhandari. However, CTEVT is yet to decide whether it will be enrolling SLC failed students for the courses that this institute will provide from next year.