Ever since the establishment of democracy in Nepal through People’s Movement 1 (1990) there has been a driving force to make reforms and initiate strategic plans for achieving higher educational goals. Then with People’s Movement 2 (2006) which overthrew monarchy and replaced with a republic education trended to be more inclusive. The strategy of the Nepalese government that focused on Education for All (EFU) and the impact of globalization have broadened the horizons of common people to look beyond their traditional vocation and get educated for better lifestyle.
According to UGC (University
Grants Commission) report (2012) there has been an increasing trend in the
number of students pursuing higher education over the past 30 years. The number
grew ten- fold from 38 thousand in 1980 to 407.9 thousand in 2010. This
translates into an average annual increase of 8.2% with average number of
student doubling in every 15 years. Similarly in 2010/11, total HE enrolment
accounts for 407,934 of which TU (Tribhuvan University- the main institution of
Nepal) claiming the lion’s share of 353,718 (86.7 %} students .In contrast the
share of remaining universities and medical institutions are less than 5% and
below 1% respectively.
Geographical
location has a great effect on the distribution of students in Nepal. Hilly regions constitutes the highest number
of students (62%), Terai belt (plains) with moderate number (35%) and mountains
having the lowest number of students (3%) (UCG, 2012) The central development
region mainly Kathmandu has the highest flow of students as they migrate from
several districts for better education and job prospects.
Interestingly the
share of girls enrolment has dramatically increased from 19% to 41% over 30
years (1980 to 2010). The report also reveals the highest number of faculty
enrolment in girls in medicine (about 53%), followed by education (48.5 %),
humanities and management (39%) and both agriculture and engineering (17%)
(UGC, 2012). In retrospect girls were confined to house work and not allowed to
go to schools. In many cases even if they completed their school they were not
allowed to join college as they were forced to get married which was a social
obligation for girls. But the modern Nepalese women see no bounds and are free
to choose their vocation. To cite an example from my school the number of girls
is more than the boys in a few classes. Besides, there is a good number of
students belonging to the marginalized class and various ethnic communities of
Nepal, and this seems to be a good marker of success of the inclusive policy of
the government.
Over 30 years,
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education rose from 3% in 1980 to 14% in
2010. Female GER ha increased sharply from 1% in 1980 to 11.9% in 2010 with an
average growth of 8.6%. Likewise male GER has also gone up from 4% in 1980 to
16.1 % in 2010 with an average annual growth of 4.8% (UGC, 2012).
The proliferation
of colleges with diverse faculties and multiple courses affect the young
generation (age of 25) that constitutes over 55% of the total population
(central Bureau of Statistics 2012). So student’s choice and opportunities are
determined by the existing trend in student demographics.
By and large boys
are interested to pursue higher studies in engineering and management whereas
girls are inclined towards medicine and nursing courses. So students practise
rigorously to get through entrance examinations which are very competitive.
Furthermore, there is a massive flow of students pursuing higher education in
overseas especially in Australia, UK, Norway and so forth.
So the changing
trend in student demographics makes a lot of differences in education from local, national
and international perspectives.
References
Education Management
Information System (2012). A report on Higher Education. University Grants
Commission. Retrieved May 6, 2012, from http//www.ugcnepal.edu.np
Glencorse, B. (2014). Re:
The World beyond 2015. Is higher education ready? Higher education in Nepal. Accountability
lab. Retrieved May 6, 2014, from http//www.info.com.au
Higher Secondary Education
Board, Sanothimi, Bhakapur. Retrieved May 6, 2014, from http//www.hscb.edu.np
Thank for this Man. It is heartening to know that student numbers are increasing and more girls are studying. What impact will this have in Nepal and have there been any studies or projections made on this? Jason.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jason. Increasing girl enrollment means girl empowerment which is essential in the context of Nepal. This will definitely have great repercussions on society as more females will participate in business, health, education, politics and so forth developing impact on overall nation building process.
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