Private schools across the country are preparing for holding the ´´School Leaving Certificate (SLC) send-up´´ examinations from Sunday in the name of SLC practice exams, despite the government directive against it. The SLC examination starts from the third week of coming March.

´The SLC send-up´ examinations have been established as the culture in the private schools. This time, they seem following the government direction in one hand and on the other want to continue the routine by changing its form. Some of community schools in the country have imitated private schools´ style and have charged fee to the SLC students to conduct the practice exams.

It may be noted that the Department of Education two weeks ago issued directives to all the District Education Offices to discontinue the trend of taking send-up examinations in accordance with the Education Regulations sixth amendment.

In his comment on private schools´ decision to hold pre-SLC exams, Department Director General Lavadev Awasthi said an umbrella organization of private schools has already agreed not to conduct exam, but the agreement has not been brought into practice and he has sent SMS to regional education directors and District Education Officers to monitor the violation of agreement and take action against violators.

"It is unfair to overcharge students through unauthorized exams," he said.

Schools associated with Private and Boarding Schools Organization (PABSON), National Private and Boarding Schools Association (N-PABSAN), Society for Private Schools Education Development) and Institutional Schools Association Nepal ( ISAN) have planned the examinations.

PABSON Chairman Laxya Bahadur KC defended that it was their right to conduct exams for the practice of students. But no students will be prevented from appearing the upcoming SLC, he said

source: republica,18 jan 2015