On August 18 last year, the state government won the battle in the Supreme Court, which allowed it to continue with its two-year-old ‘best five’ subjects policy for junior college admissions.
Arun Shetty looks quite composed for a student who is set to write a lengthy Marathi paper, the last of the secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations, on Wednesday. But then, has been the picture of tranquility because of the knowledge that he can choose to give only top five subjects’ scores during admission to a college.
“Students usually start worrying about their results as soon as their examinations end. My science and Hindi papers did not go well. But, I am not too worried since I have the ‘best five’ option,” Shetty says with a smile.
On August 18 last year, the state government won the battle in the Supreme Court, which allowed it to continue with its two-year-old ‘best five’ subjects policy for junior college admissions. The vindication came after Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board students’ parents challenged the policy on the grounds that since it was not extended to their children, it would leave them at a disadvantage during admissions. The apex court not only upheld the state government’s policy, but it also extended the same to students from the ICSE board.
The court judgment has eased the pressure off hundreds of SSC and ICSE students.
Under the ‘best five’ policy, scores of subjects from group C are not considered at all during admissions. Students can pick five of their highest scores from subject groups A and B to calculate percentage.
Jayant Jain, president of Forum for Fairness in Education, says, “As papers of group C subjects are examined by schools, discrepancies may creep in. But now, such a possibility has been ruled out. Parents and students are both happy with the judgment.”
With the policy being extended to ICSE students as well, it is expected to create a level playing field during junior college admissions. The CBSE already has such a system in place.
“Everyone will get an equal shot at the first-year junior college online admission. Seats will be given out strictly on the basis of merit. This year, too, we might see high cut-offs, as students will score more due to the ‘best five’ policy,” said a senior education official.
This year will be the last when the state government will award 25 marks for students excelling in sports. This policy will be discontinued from the next year and only athletes who need grace marks will be considered.
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