VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: Higher secondary schools in the state are in no hurry to increase the number of seats though those seeking admission have rushed to collect forms. The state saw a higher SSC pass percentage of 85.15, leading to queues outside higher secondary schools on Monday morning. Students and parents were seen lined up outside Don Bosco Higher Secondary School at 7 am on Monday, though the gates were still closed.
The city-based higher secondary schools expect the sale of admission forms to rise, but the decision to seek an increase in seats will depend on the response of students in different streams.
Mushtifund Saunstha that has kept the cut-off percentage for admissions in the science stream at 85 percent for biology, 80 percent for geology and 65 percent for admissions to the commerce stream, is open to increasing seats. “Students securing the cut-off percentage and above are eligible for on-the-spot admissions while the rest would be on the waiting list,” Principal Navanath Parulekar told Herald.
Each of the three divisions has been allotted 50 seats. “If need be, we will apply for an increase in seats. It is in the best interest of the state if this is granted,” he added, explaining that the final decision for increasing seats is with the Education Department.
A total of 19,683 students appeared for the SSC examination in March 2015, of which 16,674 passed. Students appearing for the crucial examination increased by nearly 3,000 compared to last year, even as the strength of students continues to rise with the enforcement of the no-detention policy.
Dhempe Higher Secondary School, where the cut-off percentage for the science stream stands at 75 and for the commerce and arts streams at 45, will consider increasing seats from the next academic year. It will accept on the spot admission for Class XI science provided the candidates have secured 75 per cent each in mathematics and science subjects.
“We will increase 60 seats for science, 40 for arts and 20 for admissions in commerce from next year,” administrator Sunil Prabhduesai said. Principal Siddha Poojary said that they can mull over increasing seats up to 64 for all divisions, provided the governments insists it be done.
Dr K B Hedgewar Higher Secondary School has offered students with a pass percentage below 75 a chance to pursue higher secondary education. Putting the cut-off percentage at 70 percent for science, and 50 and 40 percent for commerce and arts respectively, the institution is confident students will perform even better in the Class XII board exams.
Confident it would garner a good response from the students, Principal Vilas Satartkar echoed views of other higher secondary schools that seats can be increased if the situation demands.
Speaking to Herald, Education Director G P Bhat said that any decision of the government will follow after a thorough scrutiny of the proposal from respective institutes.
