SHWETA KAMAT
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PANJIM: This academic year, enrolling for Class XI courses will not be a cakewalk, as many students may find they don’t have a seat. As against the available 18,930 seats, the State has a record number of 23,900 students, who have cleared Class X. More students are likely to be added to the number, with schools set to conduct supplementary examination for 580-odd students in August.
Directorate of Education (DoE) has said any decision on the increase in number of seats in Class XI, across 116 government and aided higher secondary schools, will be taken only once the admission process starts, which is expected to commence after the entrance examination scheduled for those candidates aspiring admission to Science or Diploma courses in Class XI. DoE is likely to propose 15-20 per cent increase in number of seats.
As per the data available, based on the 2020-21 enrollment, there are 18,930 provisional seats available for Class XI that includes 5741 in Commerce, 4973 in Arts, 4965 in Science and 3251 in vocational.
On the other hand, 23,900 Class X students are currently eligible for admission to Class XI. As such, there will be around 5,000 surplus students in line for admission. Besides, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) expects another 200-300 students to clear the supplementary exams, adding to the surplus list.
Sources claim that a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the number of seats, in each college, considering the situation, should resolve the issue. If you follow the trend, of these 5,000 surplus students, there will be another 1000-1500 opting for polytechnic and there will be few drop outs, sources explain.
Speaking to Herald, Education Director Dilip Bhagat said they are currently studying the situation and any decision on an increase in seats will be taken once the admission process starts. “We will consult with Goa Board before starting the admission process since, the entrance test for Science and Diploma courses have to take place,” he said.
Bhagat assured that the department will ensure that no student is left out without admission to Class XI. “Wherever required, seats will be increased. We have to also take into account the supplementary exams, which will take place next month,” he said.
Responding to a question on online learning, the Director said, “We have infrastructure in place for offline classes; for online, teachers will have to handle more number of students.”
A taluka-wise analysis shows that except for Quepem, all other talukas have a larger number of students clearing Class X, as against the available seats for Class XI. For instance, Bardez saw 4,041 students clearing Class X, while the provisional seats available across 13 higher secondary schools are 3,210.
Salcete, with 19 higher secondary schools, has 4,176 provisional seats as against 5,085 candidates in line for admission.
Sanguem, with a lone higher secondary with 197 seats, has 510 Class X pass students.
