Dr. Ramji Sharma, the Principal of New Galaxy School located in Pokhara, is a well-known figure in the academic community of the Gandaki region. He has dedicated two decades to maintaining high educational standards in the Pokhara vicinity. Dr. Sharma is a thorough and inclusive individual, involved with various social organizations. He also holds the position of Senior Vice President at HISSAN Gandaki. Recently, he engaged in a brief discussion with College Readers. Here are selected excerpts:

Question: As the Senior Vice President of HISSAN GANDAKI, could you elaborate on the accomplishments achieved by the Gandaki Province Committee under your leadership?

Dr. Sharma: The establishment of HISSAN Gandaki marked a significant milestone as the inaugural provincial committee after the restructuring of Central HISSAN in Nepal's transition to a federal structure. Subsequently, the committee has achieved notable successes. One standout achievement was the successful organization of a futsal competition, featuring a substantial prize of one lakh rupees for the winner and seventy-five thousand rupees for the first runner-up. Impressively, this endeavor was executed without external funding. Moreover, the committee worked diligently to foster unity among districts for such events. While HISSAN thrived in Kaski, it faced challenges in other districts. Notably, similar events were lacking in other provinces. Despite encountering occasional setbacks with specific programs, the province maintains a distinct focus, believing these achievements will contribute to its progress on both national and global levels. Furthermore, we stress the importance of organizing events that directly benefit students, especially within the framework of policy-level initiatives. We firmly believe that such initiatives will catalyze the provincial government's prioritization of students' needs and overall well-being.

Question: A decline in the quality of education has been noticed in both board and IOE Entrance exams over recent years. What factors are causing this decline, and what measures is HISSAN taking to uphold quality?

Dr. Sharma: The decline in quality began amid the backdrop of Covid-19. However, the pandemic's impact isn't limited to grade 11 and 12; it extends to bachelor's and master's level education as well. The effects of COVID-19 have triggered a chain reaction, leading to established colleges experiencing decreasing student numbers. Students across the board are facing challenges, prompting many to consider studying abroad. Enrollment in bachelor's colleges is on the decline, and master's colleges are also witnessing reduced student numbers. This trend is visible even in Nepal's most prestigious institutions, where students are scoring zero marks in subjects like science and physics. This situation has had a significant impact at the national level. Although not all students are leaving, the most talented ones are seeking educational opportunities abroad, resulting in Nepal losing its brightest minds. It's evident that the quality of education in Nepal is deteriorating. To address this issue, HISSAN should prioritize student retention by urging the government to improve the quality of education and generate employment prospects. While self-reliant students succeed, others intend to complete grade 12 and utilize the certificate to study abroad. The main challenges lie in the declining education quality and the outflow of students, and HISSAN Gandaki is actively addressing these challenges.

Question: Previously, HSEB administered both the 11th and 12th board exams. However, with the inception of NEB, schools have been given the authority to oversee the 11th exam. What are your thoughts on this development?

Dr. Sharma: With grade 10 designated as SEE and grade 12 as SLC, grade 11 holds an intermediary position. After the COVID-19 pandemic, students seem to believe they can pass exams without exerting effort, given that schools ensure their success. Unfortunately, this perception has led some students to think they can easily pass grade 11 exams. In the past, with a centralized board, students used to fear failing in the 11th grade. However, the situation has changed as the 11th grade is now considered intermediate, and education has shifted to a decentralized approach. Therefore, centralizing this under a single board doesn't seem necessary. Instead, an effective solution could be for HISSAN to establish a framework for conducting exams, ensuring students maintain awareness and seriousness towards their studies. Thus, HISSAN should proactively connect districts and facilitate communication through the medium of exams.

Question: Students are increasingly opting to study abroad after completing the 12th exam. In Nepal, universities often fail to conduct courses on time, which is a reason why students prefer studying abroad. How can universities work to discourage students from going abroad?

Dr. Sharma: When analyzing the trend of students choosing foreign universities, about sixty percent opt for them due to the mismanagement of domestic universities, while forty percent is influenced by the rising middle-class social psychology. Domestic universities frequently fail to adhere to their schedules and disregard established timelines. HISSAN has actively engaged with Pokhara University on scholarships, and more recently, both private and public college students have been included in scholarship opportunities. Delays in course schedules by universities can lead to various issues for students. In Nepal, where many students aspire to study abroad, these schedule delays can push students to seek education opportunities outside the country. Unlike foreign universities, domestic ones are not offering scholarships. Furthermore, the departure of talented students from Nepal to study abroad can negatively impact other students who remain in the country. If skilled students go abroad, others tend to follow suit. The lack of quality education and the perception that foreign countries offer better money-making opportunities contribute to this issue. About forty percent of the issue can be attributed to societal influences discouraging students. To address this, if the government were to financially support the establishment of incubation and entrepreneurship centers, students could potentially create job opportunities within Nepal. To retain the youth, colleges must invest significantly and conduct thorough surveys. Students often follow their peers' decisions to pursue education or employment abroad.

Question: In some educational institutions, there's unhealthy competition resulting in excessive student admissions, while other schools struggle to attract enough students. Does allocating student quotas enhance or diminish educational quality, considering that some admissions are merit-based and others are quota-based?

Dr. Sharma: This situation has both pros and cons, largely influenced by the market dynamics. It is a fundamental right for both students and parents to choose the college that suits their preferences. However, it has been observed that colleges often emphasize attracting students without providing quality education once they're admitted. The unhealthy competition stemming from admitting an excess number of students without a well-defined plan for offering quality education must be addressed. This unhealthy environment and competition among colleges can arise from greed, especially when colleges are driven to admit more students at the bachelor's level. When making this choice, parents and students consider various factors such as location and costs. While it might be tempting to select a college based on reputation or appearance, ensuring the delivery of quality education should be the primary focus. This involves having qualified faculty, access to learning resources, and a curriculum designed to prepare students for their chosen careers.

Question: In the trajectory of higher secondary education, when a desired course is unavailable in a rural area, students tend to seek options in urban centers like Pokhara. Previously, if the urban centers didn't offer the required course, students would migrate to Kathmandu. But with Pokhara's progress, this trend has decreased. What percentage of students now choose to stay in Pokhara?

Dr. Sharma: In the past, after completing SEE exams, around 60 percent of students would go to Kathmandu. However, the current situation has changed, with most students opting to pursue their studies in Pokhara. Roughly 10 percent of students still choose to go to Kathmandu for their studies, mainly due to personal motivations rather than a pursuit of superior educational quality.

Question: What message would you like to convey to both students and parents?

Dr. Sharma: In the Gandaki Province, Pokhara has emerged as a hub for quality education, offering a diverse range of courses from Science, Management, Tourism, Hotel Management to Computer studies. We have tailored our educational offerings to align with students' preferences, fostering a conducive atmosphere that caters to our student community's needs. While New Galaxy School/College is the premier choice for those interested in hospitality management, it's important to note that all educational institutions in the area provide a wide array of faculties catering to various student passions. Moreover, Pokhara offers opportunities for internships and employment, especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors. We provide practical experiences for students and facilitate internship and job placements from their 11th grade. As evident in Pokhara, New Galaxy School/College is undoubtedly the preferred option for students and parents seeking a path in Science,Management, Tourism and Hotel Management.