A-Levels v/s HSEB v/s IB: What's the difference?

With the onset of the SEE season in the nation, at the back of every 10th grader’s mind is the ever daunting question of their education after the so-called “iron-gates” of their education. While many consider this glorious threshold as the peak of their education, they are quickly brought back to reality as these 10th graders are made to make a crucial decision that shall decide the very fate of what direction their life is to take. From the more practical application level of the A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate(IB) to the tried and tested Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) course, the decision is one that will shape the cognitive, personal and emotional personas for the years to come.

“We need to make a major decision after our SEE, but we don't know the full details about each program,” says Pabitra Raj of St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel. While the students have a vague idea of what these programs are to entail, the extent of their knowledge begins and ends at the words of their seniors who have done or are currently in these courses. Hence, their information about these varying styles of education is limited to say the least.

While the obvious distinctive nature of each course is a major deciding factor while selecting one of these paths, there is also the financial aspect one has to factor in. The HSEB, the national board, is the more affordable alternative (at least in most colleges) amongst the three with the cost totaling up to an approximate figure of two hundred thousand rupees for the two years. The IB and A Levels programs cost a minimum two hundred thousand rupees and upwards with the most expensive ones totaling up to eight to ten hundred thousand rupees.

“There is a keen interest to go for A Levels, but at the same time, we know that it will be costly. Of course, there are scholarships provided by different schools, but there is no guarantee that we will get them,” says a rather concerned Sujan Shrestha, another student pondering his future after his SEE.

All financial and learning style aspects considered, the perception of these courses amongst these 10th graders are outrageously polar and skewed to favor the A Levels and the IB courses as being the best while the HSEB course garners a rather ominous reputation. "I think most of us want to go for something like A Levels or IB. We've seen how the Nepali system is mostly based on mugging up stuff and going for the exam, but A Levels and IB might actually give us exposure to different fields, both inside and outside the classroom. Also, both these programs would actually prepare us for further studies abroad," informs a student wishing to remain anonymous..

While most of the youth maintain general trepidation regarding the monotonous learning that is to prevail from their 10 years of Nepalese schooling into their HSEB education, some still harbor hope towards the Nepali education system, "I don't think the system in Nepal is that bad. If it were so, why would there be stiff competition for people to get into colleges like SXC? And why would there be so many students committed to completing their Bachelor's in Nepal, too? However, there does need to be a guidance counsellor in schools who can help students with their decision. Some may be better suited to a program like A Levels while some to +2. Having a guidance counsellor would definitely be a big help," affirms the 12th grader, Yuvraj Satyal.

Satyal raises a rather pertinent concern. The need for guidance counsellors and career counsellors in schools is an increasing necessity, schools having hundreds of students have one guidance counsellor for every student diminishing the veracity and quality of advice these youth receive. Hence, schools and parents alike must look to better counselling and the powers at be must ensure that there is proper information dissemination on a teacher-parent-student level when it comes to making push pivotal decisions.