Class 12 now mandatory for PCL Nursing course

Kathmandu: The Medical Education Commission has decided that only those who have passed class 12 will be eligible for PCL Nursing study in Nepal.

Professor Dr. Anjani Kumar Jha, vice-chairman of the Commission, informed that this new arrangement will ensure that students must complete class 12 before they can study PCL Nursing. Currently, students can enroll in PCL Nursing programs after completing the School Leaving Examination (SEE), which is equivalent to class 10.

During a meeting of the Parliament's Education Committee, vice-chairman Jha highlighted that many other countries require students to pass class 12 before pursuing PCL Nursing. He noted that in neighboring India, nursing education is only available after completing class 12, whereas in Nepal, it has been accessible after finishing class 10.

Dr. Jha emphasized the importance of this change, stating, "Studying nursing at the age of 16 is a serious matter. In India, nursing education begins only after class 12. Our current system allows it after class 10, which is not ideal."

He added that the Commission has made a formal decision on this matter, and a notification will soon be sent to the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).