Kathmandu, November 4:

The Higher Secondary Education Programme (HSEP), introduced by the government in 1994 to phase out the proficiency certificate level from universities, has been a disappointment.

Instead of replacing the PCL programme with the HSEP, this project has given rise to a dual education system.

With the launch of the Higher Education Project II, the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) is being strengthened just in paper. It has not been able to open its college in 12 years. The question is: How does the HSEB, which has failed to develop a mechanism to monitor higher secondary schools in 12 years, will supervise secondary schools.

“The HSEB will work closely with the Department of Education and supervise the secondary schools,” spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports Laba Prasad Tripathi said. This provision is sure to create two systems even in school.

Now, the government has proposed a School Sector Reform (SSR) programme, touted as a total restructuring of the education system. It is also unlikely to phase out the PCL.

While the government has launched a programme of basic education in Rasuwa, Kapilvastu and Dadeldhura, it is yet to decide on the ways to deal with higher secondary schools.