KATHMANDU, July 4: The government has not planned any specific programs for students who obtain below 1.6 GPA in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations. The available quota under the Council for Technical Education & Vocational Training (CTEVT) is quite inadequate to make them productive.
A total of 105,167 students scored less than 1.6 GPA. According to the Ministry of Education (MoE), students who scored 1.6 or above GPA are eligible to pursue grade 11 studies.
However, the government has planned nothing for the students who obtain below 1.6 GPA, according to the Guardians' Association Nepal (GAN). “The government has clearly mentioned 'Completed' on the grading sheets of all the students, including those who scored below 1.6 GPA.
"Students with below 1.6 GPA can neither pursue further studies nor get any vocational training,” said Suprabhat Bhandari, president of the GAN.
Dr. Hari Lamsal, spokesperson at the MoE, said that the government is planning to provide skill oriented programs under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).
The CTEVT has an annual capacity of about 20,000 intakes on diplomas, and 25,000 intakes on TSLC and training programs.
“The seats are not enough for all the students at present. We can increase the quota on the basis of students' interests and pressure,” said Dr. Ram Hari Lamichhane, member-secretary at the CTEVT. “The schools with good infrastructures and faculties will be allowed to increase quota or run programs.”
However, the existing infrastructures and manpower will be inadequate to address the capacity of enrollment for all candidates, said the CTEVT officials. “Diploma on Science Stream needs 2.0 GPA, and literate for TSLC and other training programs in CTEVT.”
Dr. Lamichhane said that they are also preparing to offer the short-term courses and trainings for the interested students. “We are planning to increase quota and offer the short term vocational trainings if the government provides us necessary funds. We need Rs. 420 million for adding 100 such schools,” he added. “This provision will certainly benefit the students.”
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