Educationists call for revision in govt policy

Experts also blamed lack of reading culture both among students and teachers behind the dismal performance in the examinations.

KATHMANDU, July 30: Expressing dissatisfaction toward the performance of students in Grade XII examinations, whose results were published on Monday, education experts have called for a revision in the country's education policy.

The experts argued that the dismal performance of students in Grade XII examinations is largely due to the government policy that does not include provision to provide government teachers for the higher secondary (plus 2) level education in the country. They also blamed lack of reading culture both among students and teachers behind the dismal performance in the examinations.

The results published by the National Education Board (NEB) on Monday show that only 3,067 students obtained 3.61 to 4.0 GPA. A total of 292, 153 regular students had sat for the examinations held from April 28 to May 9, 2019. While 16,204 students secured 3.21 to 3.60 GPA, 31,062 others from the regular category secured 2.81 to 3.20 GPA.

According to the result published by the NEB, 56,503 students secured 2.41 to 2.80 GPA, 86,227 students 2.1 to 2.40 GPA and 62,619 others 1.61 to 2.00 GPA. The number of students securing GPA between 1.21 to 1.60, 0.81 to 1.20 and 0.00 to 1.80 GPA stood at 19,585; 3,524 and 13,362, respectively.

Educationist Mana Prasad Wagle said the dismal performance of students shows that the teaching and learning activities in higher secondary level are not satisfactory.

“The percentage of students getting highest grade is less than 0.01 percent. This clearly shows that the teaching and learning activities in Grade XII is disappointing. This should be changed,” he said.

Wagle cited two reasons behind this dismal performance. “The first reason is that the government has not provided any teachers to grade XI and XII. And, the second reason is that most of the teachers are not much accountable to their students,” he said.

Many education experts also argue that the poor grading criteria in the Secondary Education Examination, which allows almost everyone appearing in the Grade X exams to pursue further studies, is equally to be blamed for this dismal result.

This is the first batch taking Grade XII examination after the government introduced a new grading system in Grade X two years ago.

Among those taking partial examinations of Grade XII, only 23,915 (41.83 percent) passed the examination, according to the NEB.

“I think the reason behind this dismal result is lack of reading culture both among teachers and students. Students are not serious in their studies these days as they tend to take reading not very seriously,” said another educationist Bidhya Nath Koirala.

 
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