Kathmandu - This week as well, there was nominal news regarding educational matters. The media focused on increasing Covid threats and politics issues this week. Most of the news, letter and opinion articles on education matters were focused and concerned about the examination of SEE and Grade 12. While this second wave of virus is spreading rapidly with increasing death rates across the country, most of the articles and letters were concerned regarding the loss of this academic year.
- News stated that Kathmandu Metropolitan City has decided to start a new school session at the school level from mid of July. The Metropolitan office has issued a circular to complete the examination by alternative method by June 3 and publish the results by mid-June. According to the convenience of the school, the results can be published online, offline or from telephone based on previous performances in internal exams, the head of the education department of KMC was quoted. The news also reported that some private schools have even started online classes for the new academic session by publishing the results. The ministry has stated that the academic session will start from mid of July until further notice. A ministry source was quoted stating that discussions are underway on whether the current academic session will be delayed due to lack of classes and examinations. Class 10 and 12 examinations to be held in May have also been postponed, the news had reported.
- A piece of news highlighted that the students feared promotion to higher grades while they realize that they are ill-prepared to go to the next level. Classes have remained closed mostly in the last two years and has created a panic situation for students who have been deprived of studies in the last one year. Private and Boarding Schools’ Organization-Nepal Chair had been quoted stating that KMC’s decision had made it easier for schools across the country to address the ongoing confusion. The decision has not gone down well with some educationists stating just three months for studies in an academic year won’t be enough for students to be promoted to the next higher class.
- An editorial article expressed that the government has rightly postponed the Secondary Education Examinations (SEE), and the Grade XII exams indefinitely due to the upsurge in the number of coronavirus cases across the country. The editorial stated that with the virus raging in most of the districts, it is not known when it will finally come under control, putting hundreds of thousands of students in great anxiety. The National Examination Board that conducts the Grade X and XII exams must come up with a modality to conduct the exams so that the evaluation of the students’ performance is credible this time as last year self-evaluation of students by schools had resulted in sudden raise of students with 4 GPA score.
- A following letter to the editor also stated that students are under double pressure of the exams and corona threat. The writer stated that in such difficult times, when students want to be with their family, many are compelled to remain in urban areas due to the continuation of online classes. The writer also demanded that consideration to halting online classes for welfare of students should be considered.
- An opinion article was dedicated to emphasize the effectiveness of integrated curriculum. It stated that the integrated curriculum is effective in emphasizing subject knowledge and life-sustaining education and could play a supportive role not only for the intellectual but also for the physical, mental, emotional and social development of the students.
- News stated that a gunman attacked a school in the Russian city of Kazan, sending students running out of the building as smoke poured from its windows. At least eight people were killed in the attack — seven eighth-grade students and a teacher — and 21 others were hospitalized, the news reported.
'Education this Week' is a joint effort to analyze the press coverage of education in Nepal’s selected print media published in Kathmandu. The main aim of this effort is to identify and explain major education issues picked up by the media and give back and foreground the news. This, we believe, will help policy makers and other responsible people to keep abreast with ongoing concerns and discussions on and around education. EduKhabar, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Policies and Practices (CEPP), has produced this analysis based on the news printed in Kantipur (Nepali) and The Himalayan Times (English) between 12-18 May 2021 (29 Baisakh- 4 Jestha, 2078) - Editor.
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