More
and more Nepali students are going abroad to pursue their studies. But is it
really a foreign degree luring them, or is it something else? According to the
statistics at the Ministry of Education for 2017/18(June), 42,889 students have
gone abroad to study, whereas in the year 2016/17 ( June ), 40,696 students went abroad for the same. The number
of students going abroad is increasing by the year.
It is common to see students enrolling for IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT and
language classes to go either to Europe, America, Australia and other
countries.
Billions
of rupees have been invested in our education system. In Tribhuvan University,
Kathmandu University, Purbanchal University, and colleges affiliated to these
universities — a huge amount of money has been invested. However, students are
opting to go abroad, and they go one way or the other.
The
question that arises here is — can our colleges and universities not provide
quality education? Numerous
education fairs are held in the Capital about studies abroad. These fairs aim
to provide information to students about studies in their choice of university
abroad and to help them choose desirable courses at affordable costs.
Reasons to leave
The first
cause was the generation gap. The huge
age gap between parents and children, mostly in uneducated parents and educated
children — the children choose to leave and study abroad. And going abroad is
taken as a mark of respect. If someone has gone abroad, it automatically
increases his/her level. Also, they think they should earn money. There is an
assumption that if we earn $1 there, it will be converted to Rs 100 here. The
other reason is the aspiration to do something. But some students go abroad
just to study also.
Conditions of private institution
The private institutions have focused on
decorations only. They are unable to provide quality education to compete in
the open markets. Teachers’ role is ‘all in all’, but knowledge-wise they are
out-dated. They teach with an exam-oriented mindset. They pass students through
nepotism and favouritism. Hence, students are unable to rely on their teachers
here and hence forced to seek other choices. Also the
mentality of parents and students. They want an education which will give cash
returns immediately. After studies, they must get a good job immediately.
Role of consultancies
There
have been cases of students who went abroad and were trapped in disqualified
institutions and colleges. Due to lack of governing and monitoring bodies, many
education consultancies are cheating such students. There are still a large
number of counsellors who do not have a certificate to counsel students. On the other hand, students totally
depend on consultancies for information and they hardly care to get information
on their own.
What is the solution?
It is a
student’s right to study in the country of their choice as long as they have a
‘No Objection’ letter from the Nepal government. But the problem is — are they
really serious about studying? Or we are too late to address the problem?
Holding
exams and declaring results on time, the course taught should be designed by
the teacher him/herself, the teacher should be updated about the subject s/he
is teaching, and students should have the choice to change subjects if they are
unable to understand it. Along with this the leadership of educational
institutions should be strong. These steps will solve the problem.
Rules and regulations in colleges/universities should be strengthened. Exams and results on time, less politicisation, no strikes will do, and they should offer newer courses and revise the old ones.
Rules and regulations in colleges/universities should be strengthened. Exams and results on time, less politicisation, no strikes will do, and they should offer newer courses and revise the old ones.
*Er.Aakash Khadka
Member of save the children Aus.