Kathmandu:

The educational scenario in Nepal is on very uncertain grounds because of the political instability. Many students are leaving the country to pursue studies in foreign educational institutions. The best options after School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in Nepal are 10+2 programme, Intermediate Level, Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advance Level (GCE-A-level) and CBSE. Currently, the Cambridge GCE A-level has become one of the favourite options for the SLC-appeared students. However, very limited people have any idea regarding GCE-A-level.

What is GCE A-level?

The GCE is a programme of Cambridge International Examination (CIE). The CIE is a body of University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES), which has been recently named as Cambridge Assessment. It has been providing GCE Advance level qualifications in more than 150 countries around the globe for about 50 years in some 70 different subjects.

GCE A-level in Nepal:

In 1985, Budhanilkantha School for the first time started the Ordinary-level (O-level) programme of Cambridge, which is considered equivalent to the SLC. The A-level programme was introduced with government support in the same institution two years later. Nepali institutions have stopped running O-level programme.

Any institution that wants to start the A-level programme can to apply to the British Council after fulfilling requirements like good infrastructure. After the application process, officials from the Council/CIE supervise the institution, after which the institution is awarded with the Centre Code Number. The institution has to get permission from the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to run A-level programme. The High Level Evaluation and Monitoring Committee makes a visit to the institution before granting the permission. Only those colleges, which have the centre code number can get the permission from MoES and are considered legal and authentic. Students from institutions that are not registered under MoES are not granted with the ‘no objection letter’ which is very essential for studying abroad.

According to the CIE and MoES, every institution needs to maintain the international level of infrastructure like library, science laboratory, computer lab, play ground. It is also a must for teachers to have at least a Post-Graduate certificate. Every institution is required to have Teacher’s Support Site and Broad Band Connection.

The BC/CIE and MoES visit all A-Level schools four times a year (twice by BC/CIE and twice by MoES). The regular supervision has helped to raise the standard of A-Level institutions.

Who is eligible?

Students can take admission in A-level after the completion of SLC, O-Level, CBSE or with other equivalent qualifications. Students taking admission in A-level should have a good command over English. This is generally a two-year course. But if a student is capable, s/he is not bound by the time period of two years. The candidate can even appear for the exam after six months of joining. English is a compulsory subject. Most of the institutions here have a General Paper as compulsory subject. This paper examines the students’ grasp of the English language as well as maturity level in the subject matter. Besides English, a student can take the combination of three other optional subjects. Students can choose any of the science, non-science or from humanities stream. The course also offers the facility of mixture of subject combination. For example, a student taking Physics can also choose Economics or Literature in English as combination. Combination of four different subjects is a must, but if the student is willing one can even take more than four subjects.

What does it cost?

A-Level education is considered expensive in Nepal. If the quality of study is to be equivalent to the Cambridge University, the fee is still very cheap. The fee structure in Nepal varies by institutions. So, strict supervision from government and CIE is necessary. The A-level institutions are charging fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 11,000. They are charging Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 as an admission fee. In order to fill up the examination form, a candidate has to pay, in average, Rs 5,000 per subject, which comes to a total of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, excluding practical and other charges. In total, the amount for the completion of course ranges from Rs 175,000 to Rs 250,000.

Many institutions have the facility of merit and need-based scholarship to needy students.

Flexibility in examination system:

The exam is conducted worldwide at the same time during May/June and October/November. Students can choose the period. A student has to fill in the form two months prior to the examination date. The form is submitted to the CIE via BC and the statement of entry for the examination reaches the candidate one month prior to the examination. The centre for the exam is also declared at the time. The questions are prepared and sent by the CIE and the answer sheets are also sent to the CIE. The result of the exam is published within two months of the exam.

A-level syllabus:

The A-level syllabus can be divided into two parts. The first part is known as Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level), which covers the first half of the syllabus, and the latter part is known as A2. Students can appear for the examination in two parts in two years’ time or there is also the criterion of appearing for the entre A-level syllabus at one time — usually at the end of two years.

There is also a criterion a student can appear for one subject or can just appear for first half of the subject. After that, the student can appear for rest of the subjects in the next six months or one year. Most of the subjects are divided into different papers. Some of them are even divided into six papers and the evaluation is done on all the papers.

There are some multiple-choice questions, some are structured questions, some are long essay type questions, whereas some are in the form of practical questions. If the student is not satisfied with the result s/he can reappear for the exam, till s/he gets the satisfactory result.

What’s the grading like?

The grade is provided on percentage basis for students throughout the world — grades A, B, C, D and E are awarded. If a student gets U, that means ungraded and considured failure.

To encourage schools and students, CIE has established the tradition of award ceremony called Brilliance in Nepal, which takes place twice a year for the two different sessions. The achievers are awarded for securing

• the highest marks in the world in a subject

• the highest marks in Nepal in a subject

• the best results in three A-level subjects in Nepal (one male and one female)

• the best results in three A-level subjects and one AS Level subject in Nepal (one male and one female)

Equivalence of A-Level here:

According to the ‘Directory of Recognition and Equivalence of Educational Qualification’ published by the Tribhuvan University Curriculum Development Centre, Grade A (90-100 per cent) is considered as ‘distinction’, Grade B ( 80-90 per cent) as ‘first division’, Grade C ( 70-80 per cent) as ‘second division’ and Grades D and E (50-70 per cent) are considered ‘third division’.

Advantages:

Anyone deciding to do A-level gets to study subjects of worldwide scope in his own country. Since the students get to choose what subjects they are going to study, it becomes easier for them to specialise on the subjects of their interest. The syllabus is revised and upgraded every two to three years, which makes it more relevant. The examination procedures are relatively quicker and more practical. The curriculum and examination procedure emphasise more on creativity and marking is based on the student’s level of understanding.

No disadvantages?

In Nepal, studying A-level is more expensive than any other course. The course books are too expensive for a general Nepali. Since all subjects are taught in English, it is considered more appropriate for only those who have a good English language base. Also, if the subjects are not chosen carefully, one might have problems continuing with further education.

Cambridge Educators’ Association Nepal:

After two consecutive visits by Mark Bartholomew, regional director for South Asia of CIE, registered schools in Nepal offering CIE examination formed an association the Cambridge Educators’ Association Nepal (CEAN) in September 2005. The immediate focus of the association will be to work out the standards necessary to deliver a high level of quality and improve the overall standards of A-Level programmes in their schools.

Performance of Nepali students:

Nepali students are at par with students from other countries doing the same course. Maheshwor Shrestha of Budhanilkantha School has shown his brilliance by securing the second highest marks in Further Mathematics in the whole world. Similarly, according to the result of 2005, Nelish Pradhan and Farzana Mannan, both from Rato Bangala School, came first in the Environmental Management and Sociology respectively.

Legitimacy in Nepal:

It has not been long since Nepal devised some parameters and regulations for A-level studies. The MoES has granted full legitimacy to the A-level studies. The government and CIE are working towards maintaining a code of conduct and a very strict monitoring mechanism has been devised for that purpose. It has been confirmed CIE will close down any school that has not been able to maintain its quality as per the A-level requirements.

For an A-level programme, students must be able to analyse and evaluate their interests before deciding to join. It must be understood going abroad for studies is only second priority — success in studies is what matters the most.

A-level schools here:

There are only 14 legitimate A-level schools in Nepal according to a list brought out by the High and Technical Education Section of the MoES (Gorkhapatra/November 26, 2005. They are —

1. A Wilde Institute of Advance Studies, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

2. British School, Sanepa, Lalitpur

3. Budhanilkantha School, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu

4. Chelsea International Academy, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu

5. Kathmandu Valley School, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

6. Kathmandu Academy, Gairidhara, Kathmandu

7. Lumbini International College, Lalitpur

8. Malpi Institute, Lajimpat, Kathmandu

9. Nagarjun Academy, Kupondole, Kathmandu

10. Novel Academy, Pokhara

11. Rato Bangala School, Lalitpur

12. Saipal Academy, Kathmandu

13. Thames College, Battisputali, Kathmandu

14. Xavier International Higher Secondary School, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu