Education Minister's Directive Causes Hardship for Technical Stream Students

Kathmandu. Education and Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel's directive to publish the results of Class 12 quickly has put students of the technical stream of Class 12 in trouble. Students who have passed the technical stream of Class 12 are likely to miss the opportunity to study higher education in their desired subjects this year.

At the direction of Education and Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel, the National Examination Board Class 12 published the results of Class 12 within 40 days. Pokharel has been presenting the timely publication of results as an achievement. According to the board, the number of such affected students is around 10,000.

Although the results have been published, technical stream students are suffering due to the 'OJT' or 'On the Job Training' not being completed yet. Due to the non-completion of OJT, students have only received their grade sheets, and the practical marks have not been entered. Without OJT marks, transcripts and provisional certificates cannot be issued.

However, the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, has issued a notice stating that online forms can be filled until Shrawan 1 and entrance exams will start from Shrawan 11. As the deadline for filling the form approaches, it is almost certain that students will not receive their transcripts and provisional certificates.

One parent said, 'It seems 600 hours of OJT are required in 100 days. Additional marks are awarded based on that. I have filled the form for the Institute of Engineering based on the exam marks. They said admission should be completed by Bhadra 15, but the board is not issuing transcripts and provisional certificates without entering OJT marks. Classes are supposed to start from Ashoj 1.'

When inquired with the board, parents were told that the board can issue transcripts and provisional certificates after the school sends the marks obtained in OJT. Students and parents, who were initially excited about the timely results, are now worried as they might be deprived of the admission process.

According to the notice published in Gorkhapatra, students who have appeared for the final examination of Class 12 or equivalent are also included in the minimum eligibility for application.

For admission to undergraduate programs at the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, original and attested copies of the SLC or equivalent mark sheet, character certificate, and the certificate or provisional certificate issued by the board are required. In addition, original and attested copies of mark sheets, character certificates, and certificates obtained from a recognized educational institution by studying Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Plus Two, A-Level, or Engineering Diploma with at least 45 percent or a minimum C grade in all subjects in the letter grading system are required.

According to the notice published in Gorkhapatra, students who have appeared for the final examination of Class 12 or equivalent are also included in the minimum eligibility for application.

While the government promotes technical education as the backbone of national development, poor coordination between government bodies has put the educational future of thousands of skilled manpower in uncertainty. Jayaprakash Maharjan, head of the Electrical Department at Vishwoniketan Secondary School in Tripureshwor, said that Class 12 OJT will be completed by Ashoj. He said, 'We have sent students to the field for OJT. OJT will be completed by Ashoj.'

Some schools send students for OJT for 3 months in Class 11 and 3 months in Class 12.

When parents requested the school to allow them to study their desired subjects, Principal Herambaraj Kandel of Vishwoniketan wrote in a letter mentioning the relevant person, 'I inform you that the student is participating in OJT and the process is ongoing. The student is meritorious and hardworking, and I recommend providing full support and facilitation during her studies.'

Devraj Maharjan, Principal of Janasewa Secondary School, Kirtipur, said that students are sent for OJT for three months after the Class 12 exams are completed. He said, 'Students have the desire to study. OJT should be done for 6 months. We conduct OJT for three months after the Class 12 exams are completed.'

Some schools send students for OJT for 3 months in Class 11 and 3 months in Class 12.

Students from agricultural science, animal science, computer science, civil, and electrical engineering streams in Class 12 are sent to the field for OJT. Marks are awarded based on a total of 100 points for completing OJT.

Ramakant Tiwari, chief of the Province Examination Management Office of the National Examination Board, said that most of the technical stream students of Class 12 went for OJT from Jestha 1. He said, 'After learning skills for at least 600 hours, students have to submit a report to the school. External examiners are appointed for viva. There are about 10,000 such students. The marks for the 100-point total are still not entered. They are still in the examination phase.'

Tiwari said that coordination among stakeholders is necessary in this matter. Tiwari believes that it would be easier for students if a decision is made to allow them to participate in the entrance examination based on their grade sheets and to grant admission after they obtain their certificates upon completion of OJT.