No cause for celebration

The fact that over 58 per cent of students have passed SLC exams this year cannot by

itself be cause for celebration. There are several reasons for this. First, questions were only asked from class X curriculum this year whereas in the past the students had to prepare for both IX and X courses of study. To prove its relevance as the Iron Gate, SLC should test the cumulative academic achievement of the students starting from when the students started school, as is the practice of Indian boards like ICSE or CBSE. Besides, widespread cheating is reported to have taken place in the SLC exams every year, sometimes with the involvement of invigilators. Moreover, the practice of awarding “grace marks” to students in up to two subjects is a purely populist move.

If this continues, the much-hyped Iron Gate might soon lose its relevance. One solution could be the introduction of “one nation, one education” policy in order to bridge the wide gap in the quality of education between public and private schools.

Rom Nath Chhetri, Paragon Public School, Tilganga, Kathmandu

Good result

I am delighted to see such a high percentage of students clear SLC this year. However, the abolition of the practice of announcing the names of the male and the female topper was wrong. This removes an important incentive for the students to do better in SLC .

Shiva Neupane, via e-mail

Not right

This refers to the news that the Prime Minister has replaced the King to grace Bhotojatra. Though it is true that the country is modernising and we are striving to build a new Nepal, certain traditions cannot be changed through a decision of politicians and Guthi members. The general public may not like such an abrupt step. The King should be allowed to continue that cultural function, at least till the time the monarchy is abolished.

Shirisha Amatya, via e-mail

Reconsider

This letter is in response to the news report “Hospital equipment to go under hammer” (THT, July 6). The medical equipment along with CT scan of the Koshi zonal hospital is to be

auctioned off due to the “lack of trained manpower and infrastructure”. I do not agree that qualified manpower is not available. If that was the case, how is it that only government

hospitals are out of manpower while the private hospitals face no such shortage? How can such expensive equipment donated by our foreign friends be auctioned off when the country is already producing proficient radiological technologists and radiologists? Thus, this decision must be revised both to respect our generous donors and improve the healthcare system of Nepal.

Chhavi Raj Bhatt, Radiological Technologist, Manipal Teaching

Hospital, Pokhara

Labour pact The bilateral labour pact between Nepal and the UAE is good news for thousands of Nepalis working in that country. Now, it is important to implement the pact to ensure safety and good remuneration for Nepali workers there. Similarly, the coming of Ethiad Airways to Nepal will help the tourism sector and the Nepalis who want to work in the Gulf.

Sanat Aryal, TU