SAHARA SHARMA
The post SLC relief is huge but the burden that comes after that result is huge. After ten whole years of being guided on what to do and what not in every decision, including your studies, you now have to make a choice. The responsibility is to choose what you want to further study.

There are not too many options as what you can do, unlike years before, there is definitely a choice for you to choose A-Levels or take up +2. While Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) was established in 1989, A-levels came to Nepal around fifteen years ago with budhanilkantha School introducing it in 1987.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A-LEVEL IN NEPAL?
The advanced Level GCE (General Certification of Education), commonly referred to as an A-level is a qualification offered by Cambridge University. It is two year course that is equivalent to HSEB. GCE is run under Cambridge International Examination (CIE) Board. It is a part of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), now known as Cambridge Assessment.

The grades system in A-level is different form HSEB; for you are given in grade point average (GPA). Under this system you are given an A, B, C, D or an E based on you performance. A, B, C are recognized by TU as distinction, first division and second division respectively, Grades D and E are recognized as third division.

Also it has semester system. That means you have a six month term instead of having to study for a whole year before taking your final exams. There is another part of A-level that is completely different from HSEB. The examinations are held twice a year one in May/June and another in October/November. The results are sent about six to seven weeks after the exam in the form of Statement of Results. The certificates are normally sent about six weeks after the issue of results.

WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE? A-LEVEL OR +2?
The question will definitely not have a definite  ‘this’ or ‘that’ answer. The choice is completely individual because what suites one might not suit another.

Dr. Ananda Sharma, an expert on the subject and associate of Malpi International School, Kavre, says, “Choosing A-Level or HSEB is a choice that a student has to make, and that too after considering many aspects of both sides.” He puts foreword many aspects of A-Level that make it more preferable in today’s time for the students. “The basic difference between A-level and +2 would be that with A-level will you get an internationally recognized certificate.” he says.

After the completion of the two year course, students get a certificate of the Cambridge University, UK. The exams are conducted by University itself and the question paper set for the students is the same world wide. So when a student sits for the exam the student is entering a worldwide competition.

Another difference worth mentioning according to Sharma is that the question paper pattern of the two education modules. “An  A-Level question paper will have 30 titles and the students will choose any two they want to answer, where as a HSEB question paper is mostly likely to have only one question and that too with very less flexibility.” He says.

The principal of Prime College, Naya Bazar, Naresh Prasad Shrestha encounters. He says. “ It is not that all questions are difficult. There are also easy questions set.” Shrestha, however, cannot defy the fact that the A-Level exams are more organized and less affected by various political and social factors.

Although the A-Level might sound more efficient and regulated, it is definitely not something every Nepali student can afford. The money factor comes along and the difference is huge.“Colleges charge anything between eight thousand to fifteen thousand a month,” informed Sharma. The average charge for a student who takes up HSEB will be around 2500 at most, informed Shrestha.

Although with the huge gap in the fee structure, there is another factor that makes A-Level more appreciated by students all over. It offers you a wide range of subjects to choose from. “In A level, you have to appear in four subjects, of which only General Paper (English) is mandatory,” informed Sharma. Students can choose any subject ranging from chemistry to literature and to music. “Also, they can choose these subjects together, although in Nepal the institutions have not yet opened up to such diverse subjects choices, it definitely vast compared to HSEB,” claims Sharma.

Also the education is practical based learning. While a typical HSEB college will have only a few practical classes, A-Level system is based on everyday practical lessons. Here, Shrestha says, that Nepali HSEB standard is also increasing with many colleges proving as many practical classes as possible.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
Both the education systems have their pros and cons. Although A-Level might seem better option to HSEB, we cannot deny the fact that the cost of education is also a huge factor and we cannot afford to ignore it. Also, A-Level will prove beneficial mostly to those who plan on foreign education. For those who will do their college in Nepal itself HSEB is not that bad an option after all.

source: Sharma,Sahara(2011), myrepublica