A public policy dialogue on the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) results and school education system concluded.

July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024

Policy Research Institute

Recognizing the pivotal role of stakeholders, the Policy Research Institute orchestrated a public policy dialogue program on the recent debate on the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) outcome. This collective effort, involving 30 individuals from diverse backgrounds such as regulatory bodies, political parties, community school teachers, private school organizations, local-level officials, and educationists, was aimed at deliberating on analyzing recent trends in the SEE results, modifications to the Secondary Education Examination system, and suggesting ways to enhance educational programs.

It was discussed that since the pass rate in the entrance examinations before the secondary education examination is around 43.5 percent, the current pass rate is similar. However, the fluctuation factors cannot be determined since the annual results fluctuate dramatically. Participants expressed the view that the low pass rate of the Secondary Education Examination at public schools is a reflection of the overall weakness of teaching and learning, for which many factors are responsible, including the low investment in teachers, socio-political factors, and gaps in the policy objectives and actual practice, which calls for the total reform of the school education system. The participants also raised problems such as excessive content volume and low metacognition, incongruity due to content-based learning and grid-based testing, and a need for personalized teacher training. The old problems of low parental participation and the current problems in implementing the responsibilities at the local level stipulated by the current constitution were also discussed.

The comparatively greater success of private schools might signify that neoliberalism in education triumphed and that the socialist orientation was overlooked, some participants expressed. The idea of rethinking the appropriateness of the secondary education examination by analyzing the cost, benefits, and disadvantages of the student’s failure was also expressed. Interest was also expressed in researching the answer sheets for the Secondary Education Examination to find more in-depth scenarios and evidence.

At the outset of the program, Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Institute, welcomed the participants and outlined the purpose of the program. He referred to the effective teaching and learning model developed by the academician John Hattie, based on extensive research. Dr. Giri Raj Sharma, a Research Fellow at the Institute, presented the Secondary Education Exam data and policy dialogue questions. Mr. Gopal Acharya, an analyst at the institute, facilitated the program. Concluding the program, the Executive Chairman reassured the audience that the information from this dialogue will be meticulously reviewed. If necessary, efforts will be made to have a complementary dialogue, ensuring that stakeholders from outside the valley may participate, even in a virtual medium. The synthesized report and policy recommendations will then be submitted to the Government of Nepal, ensuring that dialogue and action continue.

Participants

Dr Mahashram Sharma (Chairman, National Examination Board)
Madhu Prasad Regmi (Chairman, Teachers Service Commission)
Im Narayan Shrestha (Director General, Curriculum Development Centre)
Prof. Vasudev Kafle (Professor, Tribhuvan University)
Dr Khagendra Prasai (Dean, Nepal Open University)
Durga Kandel (Under-Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology)
Subodh Kumar Dangi (Vice President, National PABSON)
Paras Mani Dahal (General Secretary, National PABSON)
Medin Lamichhane (Principal, Ullens School)
DK Dhungana (Chairman, PABSON Central Committee)
Prakash Subedi (Principal, Shivpuri Secondary School)
Navraj Rizal (Education Officer, Lalitpur Municipality)
Nain Singh Mahar (Central Member, Nepali Congress)
Dr. Rajesh Giri (Head of Education Department, Rastriya Prajatantra Party)
Yasoda Subedi (Standing Committee Member, NCP UML)
Keshar Bahadur Khulal (Principal, Budhanilkanth School)
Baburam Gautam (Head of Education, Tokha Municipality)
Ramashish Yadav (Principal, Ratna Rajya Secondary School)
Rimsa Maharjan (Teacher, Vishwa Rastriya Secondary School)
Vishwas Regmi (School Leader, Vishwa Rastriya Secondary School)
Anamika Acharya (Principal, Kalikasharan Secondary School)
Janardan Rijal (Director of Education, Dakshinkali Municipality)
Sujan Raj Khanal (Director of Education, Chandragiri Municipality)
Pushparaj Dhakal (Under-Secretary, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality)
Lalit Vikram Singh (Under-Secretary, Budhanilkanth Municipality)
Sarada Paudel (Principal, Durbar High School)
Sarala Pradhan (Principal, Kirtipur Secondary School)
Sudip Kaini (Correspondent, Kantipur Daily)

Policy Research Institute

Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma (Executive Chairperson)
Laxman Prasad Bhattarai (Office Manager)
Dr. Khagnath Adhikari (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr Mukti Ram Rijal (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr Kalpana Khanal (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr Deepak Kumar Khadka (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr Giri Raj Sharma (Research Fellow)
Dr Manita Kusi (Associate Research Fellow)
Ashok Pandey (Associate Research Fellow)
Gopal Acharya (Analyst)
Rija Manandhar (Analyst)
Asbin Pokharel (Senior Assistant)
Bimal Chandra Sharma (Library Management Coordinator)
Asmita Rijal (Intern)
Deeja Bastakoti (Intern)
Jyoti Luintel (Intern)
Kushal Thapaliya (Intern)
Kanchan Gautam (Intern)
Pranjal Rijal (Intern)
Sonia Basyal (Intern)
Jenish Maharjan (Intern)

Please click here for the photographs of this event.