KRISHNA KANTA PARAJULI is the managing director of CANVAS International Higher Secondary School. Having had a long involvement in the +2 education, professor Parajuli knows many ins and outs of the school education. Parajuli spoke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts:


The recent trend shows that the +2 education has been commercialized giving rise to a flourishing unhealthy competition. How do you look at this?

I agree with you that the +2 looks to be a very profitable business venture for many. Instead of guaranteeing quality education, schools seem to be competing in the advertisement campaigns. CANVAS International believes in quality of education. We don’t have any intention to join the advertisement race.


If things are going wrong, what do you propose as a solution?

Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) needs to act. Unfortunately, HSEB has been doing nothing to regulate the schools. HSEB has to monitor all the ongoing activities.


What do you say about the present uncompetitive and unhealthy practices?

An unhealthy advertisement race is creating confusions in the minds of parents and students. The minds of young students are badly affected by the present trends. Students fail to see what is right and what is wrong.


In the present context, what do you suggest for parents and students?

Parents and students need to follow a cautious approach. They have to visit the schools and meet the teachers to test the quality of education. Advertisements should not be the basis for them to judge the quality of education. Some newspapers are classifying the schools by drawing their own criteria.


What strategy does CANVAS have for a long term?

CANVAS has a long-term vision. We will lure the students and teachers by imparting quality education. It may take a few more years for us, but we want to convince parents and children through our academic environment and quality education. CANVAS believes commercialization is not going to enhance the image of the schools for the long run. We will pursue the policy which will enhance our image in the long run.


What are the challenges before +2?

As I have told you, HSEB needs to strengthen its own institutional capability. As a regulator, the HSEB must monitor the overall environment, including the quality of education, state of teachers and management. As most of the +2 schools are run by part-time teachers, this affects the quality of education. At the +2 level, the students need more counseling. Subjects like science, mathematics and management need more counseling and supervision. The importance of regular teachers is a matter here. HSEB has to take action against those which do not abide by rules and give awards to those which respect the regulations.


What other reforms do you think are necessary in the +2 education?

In the changing context, there is the need to take certain reforms in curriculum and monitoring. HSEB must be made capable to monitor and regulate the schools as a central and powerful authority.