Bombay high court decision gives 90 percenters the blues

SSC students were in for major disappointment on Wednesday. As news of the high court (HC) quashing the best-of-five rule poured in, it knocked the daylights off 90 percenters and school toppers.

With 94%, Tejas Khot of Hansraj Morarji Public School, Andheri, was the school topper. But after the HC decision, that honour now belongs to one of her classmates. “I was so happy to be the topper. But now I feel cheated,” Khot said.

Rutuja Patil had a perfect score — 100%. But her percentage has now slipped to 94%. She also has 25 marks from the sports quota, but even that is under dispute in court. “After getting 100%, everyone showered praise on me. But now I am dejected,” she said.

In the Children’s Academy, Malad, the percentages of 50 students have dipped from the 90s to the 80s range. “I was so proud of my 91%. But now, with all six subjects considered, my percentage is 87. This will drastically affect my chances of securing a seat at a college of my choice,” said Shubham Sanap, one of the students.

For Riya Mendonca, distinction has slipped through her fingers as her score has plummeted from 76% to 74%. “I feel like an underachiever. ICSE students score well due to objectives and subjects like PT and yoga. Removing the SSC best-of-five rule is discrimination (against us),” she said.

The students are now blaming the Maharashtra education board for leading them up the garden path about their marks. “The government announced the policy six months ago. So I focused on my strong subjects, thinking that even if I scored low in English, it wouldn’t matter since it won’t be counted. Had I known the rule would not prevail, I would have worked harder,” Sanap said.

Counsellors have warned that the court’s decision would lead state board students to depression. “The students are feeling a great sense of anger against the government. They have lost faith in it,” said Maya Kirpalani, consulting psychologist, Jaslok Hospital.

“The government should have considered the consequence of their action. At this point, parents should be more supportive of their children. The students should also keep their calm and be hopeful,” said Nandini Deshmukh, psychologist.