Students with 35% in SSC getting admission in science behind HSC pass % dip

One of the reasons behind the dip in this year's HSC results is the fact that even those who have secured just 35% in their SSC exam can get admission in science stream, education experts have claimed.

Mumbai's pass percentage this year was 86.08%, down from last year's 90.11%, while Maharashtra's came down to 86.60% from 91.26%.

President of Maharashtra State Federation of Junior College Teachers Organisation Anil Deshmukh said, "Even those who score less in SSC are able to get admission in science stream. This was started a couple of years back."

According to Deshmukh, such students get admission either in the junior college attached to their school or in the unaided section of any other junior college where they pay high fees. He added that besides this, the re-entry of external examiners for practicals is another reason for the HSC pass percentage coming down.

Principal of Vidyanidhi junior college Priyanka Rajani said, "Earlier, there was a condition to secure minimum 40% to get admission in science; now, even those who get 35% can take admission sans maths in FYJC. Also, many competitive exams have put pressure on students and, as a result, they don't give the time required for HSC studies."