The three-year plan of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) is to be made effective from this year concentrates on making grade 12 the school level exit point in accordance with international standards. The MoES, likewise, plans to implement the programme of grade 8 as the exit point for primary level. Uniformity of standards of education with international practices will make things easier for Nepali students going abroad for further studies or jobs. Besides, it will save unnecessary expenditure, time and labour of students and the nation too will gain in the process. The prevalence of a three-year Bachelor’s education in Nepal has put students at a disadvantage when they seek opportunity abroad where a four-year system exists.

Making grade 12 the Iron Gate of school education means that the SLC programme and the present higher secondary programme need to be amalgamated. By doing this, the plan seeks to provide autonomy to the National Examination Board. The present practice of universities giving certificates for two years of education after SLC needs to be phased out because universities are supposed to focus on higher education. Affordable alternatives for poor students should be made by adding classes to public schools to offset the impact of the phase-out of TU’s Proficiency Certificate Level. Schools should be allowed to specialise in either secondary, primary education or both as they choose. But more important is the imperative of improving the overall quality of school education, particularly in public schools.