Bhaktapur:

The School Leaving Certificate (SLC) results are almost out and many students must be confused as to what stream to pursue. The choice has to be correct otherwise it could lead to frustrations. Here are some choices that are open for all students.

Science stream

Physics: Iswor Prasad Koirala, Physics teacher at the Birendra Sainik School, defines Physics as the foundation of science and technology. To study this subject, one should have secured good percentage in SLC, possess a mathematical brain, be laborious and curious. One must be good in Optional and Compulsory Mathematics, English, Science.

Students should be conceptual — understand the matter rather than learn by heart. Fields open to students who take up Physics are science and engineering, industry, Planning Commission, academic field, National Research Centre, multimedia development, space exploration, medical physics, environment physics, software designing among others.

Chemistry: Dr Bishan Datt Bhatt, Assistant Campus Chief of Bhaktapur Multiple Campus (BMC) defines Chemistry as the study of matters in terms of composition, methods of preparation, properties, its transformation, its uses.

Opting for this subject would make one eligible for either the Physical or Biological field. Study of Chemistry plays an important role in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy,

Environmental Science, Bio-technology. Dr Bhatt says if one intends to go for medicines, one should to be good in Organic Chemistry or Bio Chemistry.

Biology: Ranganath Shrestha, lecturer at BMC, describes Biology as the study of living beings from micro-organisms to very big animals. There are many fields open like genetic engineering, biotechnology, dairy technology, medical technology, veterinary science, fishery, bee-keeping.

Bio-technology and genetic engineering are popular subjects. In Nepal, we have facilities for specialisation in this field such as Entomology, Fishery, Veterinary Science.

Management

Management can be defined as the process of making optimum use of available resources to gain organisational goal. Ram Singh Budal of Birendra Sainik School says, “Management means managing men tactfully.” Some subjects under Management are:

Accounts: We understand accounts as a subject of manipulating transactions related to business. Diwas Shakya, academic coordinator of Xavier’s International College, defined it as the subject that fulfils the requirements of accountancy. Students who possess qualities like patience, loyalty and good knowledge of Maths, Accounts and Economics are most suitable for this subject.

Students, wanting to do Master’s in Accounts, should join +2 in the Management faculty. One can become chartered accountants, auditors, managers, accountants.

Economics: We understand Economics as a subject related to monetary activities of a country. Parsuram Gelal, teacher at BMC, says Economics teaches us the use money for maximum satisfaction. Students with sound knowledge of Maths can take it. It is a practical subject and many related books are found. So, he says it is not as hard as students think. This subject is included in Humanities too. People can work in different fields like teaching, various projects, banking sector, planning commissions.

Finance: Principal of Antique Bhadgaun School, Diwas Shakya, defines Finance as the study of the source from where money is collected and the fields in which to invest to get maximum profits. Different fields are banking sectors, financial institution, investment sector. Students desiring to do Masters in Finance should join I Com and should take Economics and Accounts but not Hotel Management.

Travel and Tourism

Tourism is a flourishing industry of Nepal. Bijesh Raya, lecturer Tri-Chandra College, said Travel and Tourism is the first industry of Nepal and also a popular subject. The fields are Hotel Management, Travel and Tours Business, cottage industry. In this field, one comes in contact in contact with many foreign nationals, so s/he must have a good command over English and knowledge of other languages is an advantage. It is a practical subject where students study by travelling and different activities. Hence, it is a costly course. To join it, one must have passed certificate level exam in Management.

One can set up different types of business like trekking and rafting agencies to cater the needs of customers. Raya explains as there is not much skilled manpower in Nepal, one can easily get a good job if s/he is skilled.

Humanities

Nepali: Sanu Ghimire, Principal of Ohm School, encourages students to study Nepali as a major subject, especially those who are interested in literature. Students can join the Humanities faculty and study Nepali as a major subject. It has got scope in the field of

education and in media (newspapers, etc). One can be teacher, lecturer or journalist.

English: Former teacher at TU, Sachi Karki, says English is a universal language. According to her, students who are good in literature, and have interest and enjoy reading and writing are more suitable to taking English as a major subject. A degree holder in English subject can fit anywhere.

Sociology: Man is a social animal and Sociology explores that social side of man. Sachhi Ghimire, who is the National Officer for translation and interpretation at UN Human Rights office here, refers to Sociology as an amalgamation of all subjects, politics, ethnic mind, anthropology. After studying Sociology, students can get jobs in the UN, INGOs and NGOs, development projects.

Political Science: Purushottam Bhakta Raya, Assistant Campus Chief of BMC, defines Political Science is the study of state, government and political activities of people. He says it is an analysis of fact. The central point of this subject is people, so it is also the study of man and man, man and society and society and society. Its fields are political-economy, political-demography, geo-politics. After studying Political Science, one can be eligible for administrative or other civil services.

Fine Arts

Fine Arts is a traditional subject. Dhruba Prajapati of the Khowpa Arts Group defines Fine Arts as a creative subject that enables one to express his/her feelings of love, revenge, demonstration. It involves painting, sculpture, music, etc. A key for success in this field is interest of the student as well as support from family. The student should also possess inborn talent. After passing SLC, a student can directly continue this subject. At the entrance exam, a student is asked to draw still life. This is a five-year course.

Maths

NB Khatakho, a Maths book writer and teacher in Basu Higher Secondary School, says Mathematics is the system of calculations which are required in our daily life. To take maths, one has to either join either the Science stream or Humanities stream. Then one can take it as a major subject in diploma.

Nursing

The motto of nursing is ‘Earning by Serving’. According to Sarmila Shrestha, head of the Nursing department at Khwopa Polytechnic Institute, nursing is a service-oriented job. One can join nursing as ANM, staff nurse and CMA. Apart from having an inherent attitude of caring for others, an aspiring nurse should not shirk away from night duties. If you possess these qualities and score over 45 per cent in SLC, then you are eligible to sit for an entrance test at CTEVT, KU, TU or do PCL for three years.

(Lunibha and Sunibha have given SLC from Vidhya Vikash Secondary School, Bhaktapur)

Mass Communication

Mass Communication is the communication with heterogeneous mass with the use of media, says Pukar Ghimire, lecturer of MC at Sagarmatha Multiple College and FW Taylor. The fields are journalism, advertisement, film-making and public relations.

To take up this subject, one should have taken Humanities in the certificate level. For Masters in MC in Nepal, there are only three institutes — Kantipur City College, College of Mass Communication and Journalism, and Ratna Rajya Campus.

To join MC course, one should obviously have a good command over English/Nepali language, and supported by fair knowledge of science, social studies and health as well. One could get jobs in NGOs and INGOs as a communication officers, in media as reporters, editors and producers; in big organisations as a public relations officers and also in advertisement agencies as a copy writers.