You could unkindly label this as being a problem of endemic lying but never make the mistake of calling a Nepali a liar. That's not culturally acceptable even if the evidence to that effect is crystal clear. This apparently dishonest behaviour seems to be more a case of a question posed receiving a number of different answers to see which is most palatable to the inquirer. Or a process of testing which reply is most likely to be suitable to get someone out of a tight spot even if his or her range of answers undermines belief in any of them. I think this all illustrates a kind of emotional immaturity that seems to be commonplace within Nepalese society and which is reflected in a range of other behavioural patterns (e.g. the rampant teasing of animals and children).
Given this trend it is remarkable that anyone passes a school examination that requires straight answers to straight questions. But today I learn that 64% of Nepalese 16 year olds (ish) passed The School Leavers Certificate (SLC) examination that was sat in April. This examination is t
he passport to higher education; those who fail are condemned to a life of manual labour and low income jobs. Amongst their number this year was young Bina Paudel, the first of our refuge children to pass the examination, doing so at "second division" (passes are graded into four categories - distinction, first, second and third). Bina has been staying at our Bhairahawa refuge but in recognition of her success and through the generous support of an anonymous UK sponsor she'll now be transferring to Kathmandu to start college. Two years hence I expect she'll set an example to her younger brothers and sisters by progressing to university and the prospect of a profession. I am very proud of her indeed.
he passport to higher education; those who fail are condemned to a life of manual labour and low income jobs. Amongst their number this year was young Bina Paudel, the first of our refuge children to pass the examination, doing so at "second division" (passes are graded into four categories - distinction, first, second and third). Bina has been staying at our Bhairahawa refuge but in recognition of her success and through the generous support of an anonymous UK sponsor she'll now be transferring to Kathmandu to start college. Two years hence I expect she'll set an example to her younger brothers and sisters by progressing to university and the prospect of a profession. I am very proud of her indeed.
