It is deeply concerning to witness a growing trend among teenagers: they spend an increasing amount of time watching short-form content, such as reels on social media platforms, while allocating far less time to academic responsibilities like completing assignments or preparing for exams.
Ironically, the culture of reading is deteriorating day by day. Many students now prefer thinner guides aimed solely at helping them pass exams, rather than engaging with in-depth reading material that fosters true learning.
Obsession with degrees
In today’s society, academic degrees have become the ultimate goal. It’s not uncommon to find young people holding multiple Master’s degrees or pursuing undergraduate courses simply for the sake of certification, often without genuine interest in the subject. It has become a new normal in Nepal.
Despite charging high tuition fees, many colleges do little to promote a genuine academic environment. Facilities like air-conditioned libraries, flexible reading hours, and access to journals are still lacking, especially in private institutions. Instead of nurturing a love for learning, these institutions often prioritize profit over quality education.
Destruction of quality education
In many private institutions, entertainment and leniency are mistaken for effective teaching. A teacher who avoids scolding students, tells jokes, or leads casual discussions is often considered “good”—not because of the quality of instruction but due to the relaxed atmosphere.
Unfortunately, many institutions prioritize keeping students happy for commercial reasons. In case of conflicts, they tend to side with students—not out of empathy, but to protect their business interests. Students are seen more as revenue sources than as individuals to be educated.
Even more troubling is the performance illusion presented to parents. The private schools and colleges often show mark sheets with high scores to impress guardians, but these grades don’t reflect the students’ actual skills. If marks were a true measure of competence, we would see better results on the ground. The reality is disheartening.
Language barrier and lack of expression
In many schools and colleges across the Tarai-Madhesh region, students struggle to write even a single page coherently in either Nepali or English. Their writing is often riddled with errors. Even degree holders hesitate to write publicly, fearing ridicule for grammatical mistakes or awkward sentence structures.
One of the root causes is a lack of exposure to reading. Students rarely invest time or money in books. Language proficiency—both in Nepali and English—is alarmingly low. Many students switch between “English medium” and “Nepali medium” identities, yet most lack the ability to express themselves clearly in either.
Furthermore, there has been a sharp decline in the habit of reading fiction and non-fiction, which are essential for building language and critical thinking skills. Instead, reels and short videos have become their main source of entertainment and emotional satisfaction.
While advancements in information and communication technology have opened doors to global learning, they have also brought unintended consequences. The widespread availability of smartphones and constant exposure to short videos have significantly contributed to the decline in reading culture.
Parents, preoccupied with work and financial responsibilities, often cannot supervise their children’s screen time. Meanwhile, private educational institutions continue to focus more on marketing and profit than on academic integrity.
Each year, tuition fees are raised without corresponding improvements in educational services. Research would likely reveal that most private institutions reinvest only a fraction of their income into actual learning resources.
Way forward
A significant portion of our youth are spending their valuable time on activities that do little to enrich their minds. Even medical professionals have raised concerns about the negative effects of constant short video consumption on attention span and mental focus.
The government and educational stakeholders need to take urgent action. Awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and policies that encourage healthier content consumption habits could play a key role. Investment in libraries, reading programs, and quality teaching must be prioritized if we are to reverse the current trend.
The future of education should not be built on superficial achievements but on meaningful learning. It’s time we rebuild a culture that values knowledge, literacy, and intellectual growth over flashy degrees and digital distractions.
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