But that's the thing of the past. Last year, the campus offered 'civil sub-overseer' course for SLC graduates which brought unexpected luck to the campus. Applications from students were way higher than the number of seats available. The campus enrolled 35 students for the program, which is run under Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), in the first year though hundreds had applied for that. The situation is no different this year. SLC result was out last Friday only, but dozens of students have already been thronging the campus to reserve their seats.
"Our campus got a new life due to the technical education," said Campus Chief Pushpa Raj Poudel. "Last year, we had no time for preparation. In two days, we had managed to enroll 35 students and disappointed many as there were no more seats available. This year, we have done some homework. However, we cannot admit all the interested students."
According to him, time has come for the campus to extend its services and faculties. "Theoretical education does not provide job as easily as technical education. For a country like Nepal, technical education is far more useful," he remarked, adding that the first batch of students of 'civil sub-overseer' have already found job for themselves. "They are happy that several consultancies have already hired them."
Offering technical education is the only way to counter private institutions, according to Mohan Siwakoti, chief of Anarmani Public Campus. "Students naturally get more attracted toward private colleges due to the tall promises they make. Financial constraints keep us from making our colleges equally competent. However, technical education could change the game," he added.
Siwakoti added that technical education is less costly and more useful for students and is equally feasible for campuses to run.
Dhulabari Campus currently offers two other semi-technical courses to the students. In the +2 level, the campus has included computer science and cooperative management courses. "We have 153 students in Grade 11 alone which is quite better compared to private colleges," said vice campus chief Tej Prasad Chaulagain.
TECHNICAL COURSES EQUALLY POPULAR IN WESTERN, CENTRAL REGION
Prashant Bhatta has topped the SLC examination in far-western region. The student of Aishworya Vidhya Niketan, Dhangadi, secured 89.5 percent. He wants to study Science at +2 level and that is because he ultimately wants to switch to technical education. "Technical subjects have more to do with practical tests. So that's easier as well as offer jobs far more easily," he added.
Arjun Giri, another top scorer, thinks the same way. He believes theoretical education is costlier and not really fruitful. "Learning theories or mugging up the books will leave us jobless. Instead, technical education means skill in hand," Giri, who scored 87.5 percent in the SLC examination, said.
Both the boys are now discussing their plan for higher studies. There is no dearth of colleges offering technical education in the far-west. However, the young boys are thinking of moving to the capital hoping that colleges there are even better. "There are number of institutions here offering technical courses. We, however, are not sure whether their quality is as good as the colleges in the capital," Bhatta said.
Lokendra Khadka of Dadeldhura is thinking of studying Health Assistant course. A lot of students in far-western region like Khadka want job as soon as they finish +2 level. And for that, there is no better option than technical education, they argue.
Due to growing craze for technical courses in the region, each and every college is seeking permission from the government to run such classes. Science, nursing, lab technician, civil overseer, pharmacy, Ayurveda Science, CMA, Hotel management, agriculture and veterinary courses, are some of the popular technical courses among students in the region.
"Dozens of educational institutions here have been offering courses of a year or longer on technical education. Almost all technical courses are available in the far west. Our students need not go anywhere else," Gopal Kandel, president of Kantipur Far West Technical College, said. According to him, the far-western region has taken quite a leap in terms of technical education in the last few years.
"Earlier students with good marks would move to Nainitaal and Dehradun of India or Kathmandu for further studies. Nowadays, there are good colleges in their own locality," he said adding that the students from Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Mugu, Humla and Jumla throng Dhangadi for higher studies.
Similarly in the central region in Chitwan, renowned colleges like Orchid, Presidency and Apex, among others, attract huge number of students from across the country. While science and management would attract majority of students after they pass SLC, the trend seems to be gradually changing. Both due to low investment as well as better scope, more and more number of students in the central region have been opting for technical subjects these days.
"Due to transportation and other facilities, students from both eastern and western region come here for further study. Chitwan has remained an education hub for long," Chudamani Khanal, president of Forum for Health and Technical Science, said. "Unlike in our times, the students today are quite smart. On the other hand, they have multiple choices these days. So many students are selecting the courses which are sellable," he added.
CTEVT, constituted in 1989, is the autonomous regulatory body that oversees the technical education sector in the country. According to Shiva Hari Dhakal, chief of CTEVT Central Regional Office, CTEVT is providing technical course for diploma and short-term courses in health, agriculture, veterinary and several other sectors. "We intend to cater to the need of the students and that of the country," he added.
Related story
More students opt for technical education
_20191222200001.jpg)
