In order to promote a learning environment where individuals can rediscover themselves and learn to be thoughtful and responsible persons, The British Model College conducted an interaction session on “Importance of A Level Education, its future, and comparison with +2 Education” on Friday 15^th July 2016.  The speaker for the day was Mr. Keshar Bahadur Khulal, Principal of Buddhanilkantha School (BNKS) and a prominent figure in the A Level industry.  He himself is a product of the system, achieving his A Levels at Buddhanilkantha School before completing his Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of East Anglia, on a British Government scholarship. It was at the University of East Anglia that Khulal was further trained to teach A Level studies. Since returning to Nepal, he has spent twenty two years working at BNKS, as an A Level physics teacher and Principal. In addition to these commitments he has carried out a few academic research projects for organisations such as: the World Bank, Action Aid Nepal and DANIDA.  We are delighted to have such an intellectual and dynamic personality speaking as part of the British Model College programme.

The programme was welcome by our Operations Director, Mr. Bimal Raj Pathak; Marketing Manager, Mr. Suman Shrestha; Admissions Coordinator, Mr. Govind Adhikari and A Level Coordinator, and Ms. Medina Shakya who warmly welcomed their high-esteemed guest. He was taken for a tour of the college and briefed about the A Level program at BMC.  At the end of the session, there was a short meeting with CEO, Mr. Rajan Kandel along with other Board Members.

Mr. K. B. Khulal, speaker for the day, began the speech by congratulating SLC graduates and highlighting study options after SLC i.e. IB, CBSE, +2 and A Level. He followed by emphasising the importance of A Level in comparison with +2 studies.  According to the speaker, A Levels are an internationally recognised programme with a lot of flexibility in terms of subject choice, appearing in exam and in the possibility for retaking exams. Furthermore A Level is dynamic in terms of the syllabus. The syllabus, which is updated every two to three years, uniquely focuses on limited topics but in great depth.  Another benefit of the A Level programme, highlighted by the speaker, was the dedication to more creative and thought provoking questions, characterised by logical application rather than repetition of facts. To conclude Khulal provided tips for the students in their transition to A Level studies; he suggested making optimum use of regular class by generating questions about the subject matter and furthering this interest outside the classroom by exploring online resources, consulting books in library and regularly writing short notes to help the revision of material during exam time. 

After the talk there was a question-answer session where students eagerly raised questions such as: in terms of appearing an exam, is it benefit to appear within one year or after two years? Are extracurricular activities important at A Level? If the student cannot succeed at A Level, is GRE an alternative option? The students were more than satisfied by the speakers’ responses.

The hour long talk attended by both students and British College staff was thoroughly enjoyed and provided invaluable information about the A Level programme and its significance in further education.

We are confident that this session was an essential experience for the A Level students; for those who were unsure whether they had chosen the correct program the session banished any doubt.

The whole British College team would like to express their greatest gratitude to the esteemed guest who provided an effective and impressive interaction with our A Level students which has indeed encouraged them to embrace the A Level programme with greater dedication and enthusiasm.