TEAM HERALD
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CANACONA: They may have cleared the first hurdle but students passing the recent SSC exams from Canacona taluka have now encountered an unexpected challenge.
About 500 students have been left to compete for 360 seats at the two higher secondary schools in the taluka and concerned parents have now demanded an increase in seats.
Over 500 students passed the SSC exams with high percentages and many students along with parents are faced with the uncertainty of getting admissions into desired streams in the two higher secondary schools which offer 360 seats combined.
Long queues of students accompanied by their parents were seen at the Government HSS, Mastimoll, on Monday. Over 90 applications have been reportedly received for enrolments to the eligible 50 seats in science stream with a cut-off percentage of above 60%, informed sources.
It is learnt that with many students getting better pass percentage, most prefer to pursue their studies in science stream and this has virtually compelled both the higher secondary schools (including at SS Angle Higher Secondary, Maxem-Dapot) to rethink making a request to the government to increase seats.
Sources informed that barring about 40 to 50 students who got distinctions, heading to other higher secondary in Salcette (Navelim, Margao, etc) there is heavy expectation on the two higher secondary schools at Mastimol and Maxem to provide admissions to the remaining students.
The seats available are Government HSS Mastimoll consist of science (50), arts (50), commerce (50) and vocational (60), while the seats available at S S Angle HSS in Maxem-Dapot are science (50), arts (50) and commerce (50).
Many concerned parents after apprising Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar of the situation, reportedly met the Director of Education at Panjim on Monday.
According to sources, the local MLA has assured parents that the government will work out a solution to ensure that students are not denied admission to pursue higher education. They also informed that efforts are being made to increase 10 seats in the science stream at both institutes, provided sufficient lab facilities and classrooms are available.
With many students opting only for the science stream, there are unconfirmed reports that educationists are working to create awareness among students about the importance of all streams.
