LETTERS

Monitoring schools

This is in reference to the article “SLC hurdle” by Mana Prasad Wagley published in THT on April 1. It is true that even though SLC is not the only test to judge students’

capabilities, they must get through it if they wish to continue higher studies. In

this context SLC is important. However, our education system is purely exam-oriented. This system does not produce qualified manpower required for the country. So technical

education should also be introduced. Secondly, focus on quality education should be there right from the primary school level.

Even the renowned schools in the Valley upgrade weak students under the label of

under-consideration up to the lower secondary level. This is a bad practice. Schools should not play with the future of innocent students. Also, another remarkable aspect is that if a student fails, the entire blame is put on the school authorities, and the guardians themselves change the school for their wards, thanks to umpteen number of schools in Kathmandu. Schools do very good business in this way.

There are plenty of weaknesses in educational field. The government must supervise and monitor all schools right from the primary level in order to ensure quality education. The eighth standard district level examination should be conducted strictly. Papers must be checked under the supervision of the Lower Secondary Examination Board. And the government should also check whether students are being cheated by their schools as well as tuition centres. Hope the government learns lessons from the past and that it would take

necessary precautions for better future of millions of students.

Birendra Shrestha, Kirtipur

Counters

These days the government has dealt with the traffic congestion problem in a good manner. Installation of traffic lights and introduction of strict measures have really encouraged the people to follow the traffic rules. But people could benefit a lot if there were electronic counters on top of the traffic lights. These counters would help to know how long the traffic lights would be on so that the drivers and the pedestrians act accordingly.

It would give an idea as to whether or not to stop the engine and when to start it

before it is too late. The pedestrians too would know how long to wait for. Minor as these details appear, they nonetheless matter. That will ultimately make the traffic

system more effective.

Anup Sharma, Kusom

Self reliance

After the February 1, a lot of donor agencies have threatened to stop the much-needed aid to Nepal. The foreign diplomats in Nepal are pressing for the release of the political prisoners and to restore media rights in the country. Though we have few means of sustenance other than relying on foreign aid and advice — it needs foreign assistance in many areas — it is high time that Nepal learnt to be self-sufficient. How long can we go on depending on outside aid and support?

We cannot always count on UK, EU, India, US and others. Though Nepal has friendly

relations with all these countries, every nation’s policies are dictated by its national interests. Such interests will make it difficult for Nepal to use aid in its own way as relying on foreign aid also means agreeing to the advice of the donors. So Nepal should move with caution and think of ways and means to improve and sustain its economy. We cannot always depend on others.

Gayatri Pradhan, Naxal, Kathmandu