How to adapt is a question

This is in reference to the news report “SLC exams to be based just on grade 10 syllabi” (THT, Nov. 1). Though this decision might bring some relief to the future SLC candidates by

reducing the course material, the new question pattern, which is yet to be decided, will cause problems for the candidates appearing for the exams this year. Most of them have been preparing according to the old pattern. It is not certain either that the new measure will raise the overall pass percentage.

Akanshya Karki, via e-mail

Mistimed

The government’s decision to change the SLC exam syllabus is a farce. Why wasn’t the future of the students who are now in grade 10 taken into account? The government does not seem to have considered how difficult the change would make it for the students to adapt to the new pattern which has been announced only less than six months ahead of the SLC exams.

Shiva Neupane, P Khanal, Kathmandu

Train cops

It is good that the government has set aside Rs. 50 million for the Kathmandu City Police. Some of that amount could go into training the traffic police personnel. Very few traffic policemen are seen doing their duty properly. Most just seem content to sit by the side and occasionally blow their whistle and wiggle their hands. They obviously have had little training in conducting traffic. Improved traffic controls, trained traffic police, well-functioning traffic lights, more one-way streets and tough laws on taxi and bus stops, though not enough to solve all traffic woes of the Valley, would address most of them.

Dr Anthony Callow, via e-mail

Conflicting

Though the Midway piece “Love and romance” by Suvechchha Poudel (THT, Oct. 31) may contain a good idea, the writer’s refusal to acknowledge that two persons of the opposite sex but the same age group can remain friends is unjustified.

Indeed, a boy and a girl can just be good friends. In her effort to defend her claim, Poudel puts forth some conflicting ideas.

Geshan Manandhar, via e-mail

Lawless

The report “Kalaiya trader shot at” (THT, Nov. 3) is yet another incident that points to the country’s deteriorating law and order situation. We pay tax to the government so that it may enforce the law and provide security to the general public. The local law-enforcement authorities seem incapable of controlling crime. If the government cannot provide security to its people, the question may arise over its legitimacy.

Deepesh Rimal, Sydney

Free checkup

Psychiatrists from the SAARC region will meet in Kathmandu from November 17 to 19 (“Psychiatrists’ meet soon”, THT, Nov. 3). Around 2-3 per cent people are suffering from mental disorders worldwide. It isn’t far-fetched to assume that psychiatric patients account for a similar proportion of the populace in Nepal, too. On the occasion of this gathering, it would not be a bad idea to organise a free mental health checkup programme for the locals.

Sheila, via e-mail