Not long ago, Nepal’s villages were full of life—children playing in the fields, elders sharing stories, families working together. But over time, as roads, opportunities, and education failed to arrive on time, these villages slowly emptied. The result? A quiet migration—not always to foreign cities, but away from hope.
Today, we stand at the edge of a similar crisis in our education system. And unless we act now, we may soon be looking at empty classrooms instead of empty villages.
🏠 A Familiar Pattern of Delay and Displacement
The government did not address the development needs of rural Nepal on time. Promises were made, but roads came late. Health services came late. Schools came, but quality never followed. As a result, people did what people do when systems fail—they left. First physically, now digitally.
We’re seeing the same pattern unfold in education. The Secondary Education Examination (SEE)—a remnant of an outdated model—is still the final gatekeeper in Grade 10. It’s still centralized, rigid, and fear-driven. And for many students, it no longer makes sense.
🌍 Students Are Already Choosing Other Paths
In the digital age, students and parents are no longer waiting for the system to improve:
- They are enrolling in online learning platforms like Study.com, BYJU’s, and Khan Academy.
- They’re opting for CBSE, IGCSE, A-Level, or other international curriculums.
- Some are turning to homeschooling or registering in schools abroad—without leaving Nepal.
This is not a rejection of Nepal—it’s a rejection of a system that has refused to change.
🔄 Reform or Be Replaced
If Nepal’s government wants to retain its learners and remain relevant in the global education landscape, it must:
✅ Reform the exam system, especially SEE, to focus on skills, not scores
✅ Decentralize assessment, allowing local governments and schools to evaluate learning
✅ Integrate technology and support hybrid, flexible learning models
✅ Respect local knowledge and context, while embracing global standards
✅ Support teachers to lead change, not just implement policy
✊ The Time is Now
If we continue down this path of delay, our classrooms—like our villages—will become places left behind. We’ll be left with a system serving only those with no other choice, while the rest move forward elsewhere.
The question is no longer “Should we reform SEE?”
It is “Can we afford not to?”
Nepal’s students deserve more than just exams. They deserve an education that prepares them for life.
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