Few days ago, the Ministry of Higher Education made declaration, asking students to avoid referring to the Ministry for asking their results. It said that result of Kankour or National-wide Entrance Exam, will be announced on its website, hence, students should avoid troubling employees of the Ministry.
The statement reflected that those who took the exam ire waiting for their results which for many has the role of a bright or a dark future. Weeks have passed from the start of first semester in all private and public universities but still the result of students who have succeeded finding way to public universities are unknown. After the announcement of the result, the administrative procedure also takes days or weeks which indeed leave no enough time for students to participate fully in the first semester of their higher education.
However, the announcement of Ministry claimed that only reason behind the late announcement of the result was large number of participants and technical problems happened in particular provinces. Reportedly, the final phase of the exam was completed around second week of March. But there are concerns as some students criticized over large number of students who were accepted from particular provinces due to their hard work.
Kankour is a vital exam across the country. It is held annually after students go for winter holidays which last about three months. Thus, when the exam is held, the weather becomes pretty cold in various provinces of the country. Due to large number of participants, exam is mostly held in open air when the temperature fluctuates below zero Celsius. Students who take the exam say that sometimes they are unable to write because of cold weather.
Cheatings are also reported. Some students get the help of other students sitting around or even the exam controller. Even some students could use their cell-phones and contacted people outside to solve the question. While exam observers monitored strictly and warned for any suspecting move.
No doubt, such circumstances create disillusion for students who really tries hard. Some talented students who try hard during their schools but score far less number than their friends who are no match to them; for such category of students remaining behind doors of public university is so hard that make decide farewell with education once and for all. I know students myself who were first position holder during their entire years of school, but scored far less than those who used to get backlogs time and again.
One of the most important things is this that private universities still have not broad acceptance. Some of the Afghan family indeed can pay for their children to follow their education in a private educational institution but they avoid. Despite many understand that the capacity of public universities is low, they do not provide quality education. But still public educational institutions enjoy high profile among Afghans. Talking to part of people, they brag about their children who follow their higher education in public universities. While it is not similar to those who study in private ones, Kankour holds deep reverence for Afghan families, because it is considered like a litmus among those who study and those who do not.
There can be reasons behind which needs to be explained. But generally, from centuries back, Afghan government provided free education to students. Students who pursue their higher education not only remitted of fee payment but also receive small amount as monthly stipend or get accommodation in public hostel without charge. No doubt, such economic benefits have still kept universities as the main target of Afghan students. During recent years, the government also paid importance to girls’ education. Hence, girls who succeed in Kankour will travel other provinces, particularly, the capital Kabul, to pursue education. Afghan families still maintain trust that their girls will face no major problem once they settle down in a public hostel. Girls also feel safe when they leave in a group in a hostel.
While such private universities have no such benefit, girls who want to study in private university, for instance, in Kabul and whose birth place is Kandahar, they rent a room. First, due to high population flow to cities, finding residential house is difficult and also expensive. Secondly, without bringing a family member, it is really hard for girls to leave alone with their friends in a lonely house. They will be teased and harassed due to patriarchal system. The dominant mentality is this that female should be accompanied by a male which is of course not possible and not necessary. Based on such a mentality, girls are far vulnerable and exposed to street stalking.
Secondly, apart from that, private educational institutions still have not found their deserved status. Many students consider them as their second choice. During last few years, visible part of students of private universities includes those who failed in Kankour. Keeping them as second choice indeed affects the popularity of private universities for part of Afghan families.
Anyhow, the delay of the announcement has created confusion for students. They hesitate about what they do as many their decision depends on their result.