The MSBSHSE board released a circular stating its reasons after protests by parents and several education groups
A week after the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) announced its decision to scrap general maths for Class nine and 10, the board remains firm on the decision despite several requests by parents and education groups.
The board remains firm on its decision as General Maths, which was started in 2008 as an option to algebra-geometry, 'failed to get takers' and had 'poor support of schools in implementing the subject'. A circular with the reasons for discontinuing the subject was issued after several requests from various organisations and parents to continue with the option were received.
"Students who had opted for general maths in Class nine and 10 were allowed to seek admission in the streams of arts, science, and commerce, but were not allowed to take maths as a subject, and thus could not seek admission into engineering courses. Schools were expected to guide students about what career options would be available for students who take up general maths. Thus, in most cases students chose to take the subject due to its low difficulty level but then faced issues during college admissions," states the circular.
Figures provided by the board also show a drop in the number of takers for the subject. The number went down from 1,37,784 students in March 2013 to 91,515 students opting for the subject in 2017. "After seeing the drop in numbers, the board is firm on its decision to scrap the subject. "Close to 17 lakh students appear for the board exams every year of which very few students have been taking up general maths".
Last week, Shiv Sena's youth wing Yuva Sena had requested the board officials to bring back the subject for students who cannot cope with the regular maths. The board circular, however, states that "students would not have to worry as the syllabus for algebra and geometry is easy and students can easily adapt to it".
Students opting for general maths
2013 - 1,37,784
2014 - 1,17,047
2015 -1,14,929
2016- 99,267
2017- 91,515
The reasons
Those opting for general maths in Class nine and 10 were not allowed to take up maths in college
Without studying maths in college, students would not be able to take admission into engineering courses
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