Some class XII science students who graduated last year applying for undergraduate scholarships are not happy with the new selection process for the scholarships. Besides scoring a minimum of 81% in academics, they are also assessed based on their certificates and an interview. They said this is not fair, as the selection is no longer done on merit ranking as in the past. They also claim that the new procedure was announced abruptly. 126 students have applied for undergraduate scholarships this year.
Starting this year, in order to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships, students should have a minimum of 81% in English plus three relevant subjects in their class XII board exams. In the past, the scholarships were given based on merit ranking. However, this year, in line with the civil service reform, students also have to sit for an interview and produce their academic and non-academic certificates to be offered the scholarships.
The deputy chief programme officer with the Education and Skills Development ministry, Karma Phuntsho says the undergraduate scholarship selection based on merit ranking has been implemented for more than twenty years so the committee approved that it needed changes and reforms. “A student needs to get into academic tier one to receive a scholarship from the government not just here but even at the international standard.”
A total of 111 scholarships comprising medicine and biological sciences, and engineering courses were floated for the current intake. With the selection process and declaration of results almost complete, some students who requested anonymity seem unhappy with the new selection procedure.
“Generally, the new selection process of giving out undergraduate scholarships is respectable. However, it feels unfair to us, the students. A student speaking both Dzongkha and English well doesn’t indicate that the person is skilled, competent, and hard working. I don’t mean that students who got selected are incapable but I am skeptical that this reform could have excluded the more competent students,” a student who did not get through the new selection process said.
Another student unhappy with the change said, “growing up as a student in a remote village, every people in our place believed that as long as we study and get good marks we will become Dashos, doctors and engineers in the future. No one is bothered much about certificates including myself. No one even told me that certificate would decide my career but after so much hard work and sacrifice for my studies, today I am not getting anywhere up to my expectation.”
“The Department of Adult and Higher Education claimed that they have been to us two months prior to the selection but it is ridiculous. How can we collect certificates in such a short span of time? A certificate is not easily achieved. We need to participate in (events) in order to get it and the scholarship being linked to certificates is absurd. We have spent our entire time to study and neglect other activities just to get an end result which is very disappointing,” said another disgruntled applicant.
However, the Scholarship Division formerly known as the Department of Adult and Higher Education said the selection process that includes interviewing the candidates and evaluating the certificates have been assessed thoroughly with appropriate weightage and categories for every certificate. The office also says the authenticity of the certificates was also verified.
“In the selection process, we are focusing more on academic marks too. At first, while shortlisting, we consider students with 81 percent and above only. Then, in the final selection, we take 70% from academics and 30% from interviews and certificates. We feel it’s fair and just, because at the end of this selection we can get skilled, competent and capable students who can benefit the country in the future,” the deputy chief programme officer added.
Meanwhile, with the Scholarship Division adamant on keeping the selection procedure as it is, it seems it will take some getting used to the new selection process, for the students applying this year and in the years to come.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu
