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ShareMumbai: Every year after the Std X results, student, parents and college authorities gear up for the next battle: That of junior college admissions. But making the rounds of colleges, standing in long queues and petitioning authorities for recommendation letters, may soon be a thing of the past. On Monday, education minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil initiated the centralised online admissions system, which will now allow students to apply to 120 colleges using the internet.
"This is a welcome move, not only because it eases things for students, but also reduces our job. Colleges no longer have to worry about lists and such. Admissions will be conducted by someone else," says Ruia College principal Suhas Pednekar, .
"The new online admissions system will also do away with corrupt practices," Vikhe-Patil told DNA, adding that this will force colleges to be more transparent about admissions-related information, like number of seats and cut-offs.
"Colleges will have to set aside extra seats for the quota. All this will ensure that no student is denied a chance," says TA Shiware, principal of Hinduja College.
Educationists have also welcomed the idea, especially since colleges have been divided into 20 zones making it possible for those living in a particular neighbourhood, to seek admission in the colleges closest to them.
Ruchira Salvi, a Std X student, is relieved that admissions are going online. "I was dreading having to trudge to colleges across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai," says the Nerul resident. Hemal Manjrekar says his son Anket visited three South Mumbai colleges last year before opting for Jai Hind. "Despite securing 87 per cent, he was on the waiting list," says Hemal. "If we had online admissions, this would have been quicker."
