Only in Nepal

Tribhuvan University’s Bachelor of Arts third-year examination of Poetry on Sunday had to be postponed after students stormed out of exam centres complaining that most of the questions were out of the syllabus. With TU authorities pouring cold water over their year-long toil, the ire of the students was understandable too, for no one has the right to play with their future. This is, therefore, not a minor incident, and should not be treated as one.

The display of irresponsibility on the part of the Examinations Control Centre honchos should

be countered with strict punitive measures, unlike the past when similar incidents have conveniently been brushed under the carpet. In the past, even when exams have gone peacefully, cheating and intimidation of invigilators were so rampant as to put the veracity of results in serious doubt. It is not hard to ponder the capabilities of manpower this

system, flawed every step of the way, churns out every year: Adults lacking in imagination and loath to put in hard work needed to succeed in any endeavour. Education should be the backbone of new Nepal. But with the kind of education on offer, it will be no surprise if the disillusioned youth of Nepal, as they come to grips with the increasingly competitive global job market, trundle out on the streets to the tune of Pink Floyd’s hit. Indeed, we don’t need this kind of education.