“One of the most important decisions that a student makes in their life is what to study at college. It´s not an easy decision; it takes careful consideration and planning to decide,” says Dr Mukesh Kumar Chalise, an honorary principal of Milestone Int´l College, Balkumari, Lalitpur.
With all the pressure from parents, it can be a pretty tough time for students if they have to study the subjects they´re not really interested in. Some parents force their children to study certain subjects only considering the future job prospects, income and even social prestige.
“Even though everyone has the right to study what they want to, there´s no point in arguing with parents because they are the ones who take care of tuition bills,” says Rahul Maharjan, a wood-carving artist from Bhaktapur who has two children.
It is not always parents or guardians that force students to take up certain subjects which they (students) are not personally interested in. Sometimes other factors also play roles.
In some cases, the status of a family may also prevent a student from studying the subject of his/her interest.
“I wanted to become an engineer, but since I was from a low class family, I couldn´t afford. I had no other alternative than to go for humanities at Patan Multiple College,” said Junu Thapa Magar, 24, from Kaski, who now lives at Patan Dhoka.
Sasankh Gautam, 55, a freelancer from Gausala, who has a 19-year-old son said, “It is obvious that parents force their children. Parents are more experienced and are rarely wrong.” However, Surendra Balami, a friend of Gautam, who is also a freelancer immediately responded, “This may create a gap in the relationship between a child and their parents, so I think it´s not advisable to put pressure on a child.”
Parents should not compel their children because some children may actually begin to hold a grudge against education in general due to pressure. Instead, they should give their child some space and time to understand what and why they are recommending, added Balami. Similarly, Deepak Khanal, principal of Blue Bird College, Kumaripati, says, “Forcing students to study the subjects they´re not interested in will leave a negative impact on their minds. Increase in bunking classes is one of the major results of such pressure.”
Likewise, Bijay Lama, 26, from Jawalakhel, says, “Every child and student needs care and attention. Only on a solid foundation a strong building can be built.
Therefore, it´s crucial that parents guide their child in a proper way. Putting too much pressure in the name of parental guidance is simply wrong.”
Besides this, due to growing unemployment and fear of remaining jobless, students are forced to opt for the subjects that have more job prospects with good salaries.
Bikash Lama, 22, from Nakhipot complained that his parents insisted on doing a course in management. “Management is the best subject because there is high chance of getting a job at a bank, my parents said. But seriously, the only thing I wanted to learn was music. When I requested my parents to allow me to do music, they said it had no scope. They further said that they knew what was best for me and my future.”
Lama said that the main reason why he had to run away from his home was the parental pressure. Recently, Lama has been making arrangements to go to Qatar.
Like Bikas, many other students are facing parental pressures. As a result, they forget about their interest and sign up for subjects that have a larger scope. Many students take subjects like interior designing, biology, engineering etc not because they are interested in them but because of future possible opportunities.Sunil Bomjan, 28, from Koteshwar, who works for JICA road construction is a perfect example. He said that he studied civil engineering from Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana, even though he wanted to do journalism. He said he was not sure whether he could continue journalism as a career.
Though it may not be an altogether bad idea to pick up a subject considering job prospects, salaries and prestige, it´s crucial that no one should regret in the future for the wrong subjects they chose. If there is any doubt, it´s better to go for the subjects one has a passion for or has interest in. And, most importantly, parents should not stand in the way of their kids.
Published in – Republica National Daily, August 10th 2010
