With the additional 25 marks for sports achievements, several students have seen their scores increase by about six to seven per cent.
After a month of stress and frustration caused by a long wait, both the state board and ICSE students have a reason to rejoice as the admission process to junior colleges will finally begin from Friday.
The decision by the Bombay high court on Thursday came as a shot in the arm for ICSE students, who were demanding that the state government include them in the policies being introduced for SSC students.
With the additional 25 marks for sports achievements, several students have seen their scores increase by about six to seven per cent.
Vidhi Khaitan, a student and football player from Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, says her scores went up from 86% to 93%. Now, Khaitan says she wants to be a part of either Jai Hind or HR College’s girl’s football team. “I have been playing football for seven years,” said Khaitan. “It was tough to balance sports and academics. I had a match just a few days before my prelims, but I studied between matches and even during half-time. So, it is good to know that the efforts I put in sports would also be recognised.”
According to Perin Bagli, principal of Activity High School in Peddar Road, the high court’s decision has finally brought students of all boards on a level-playing field. “But, we hope this decision is a long-lasting one and will benefit all the students in the coming years,” Bagli said.
Schools will get a circular from the government on Friday which will lay out the provisions for adding the additional sports marks to the students’ scores. Till then, students should continue to fill only their best-five marks, she said.
“We are happy that the option of best-five along with the sports marks has been extended to ICSE students as well. This decision reflects a true spirit of an equitable education system and if everything is carried smoothly, it will be just and fair,” said Sudeshna Chatterjee, principal of Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu.
But students of the state board and their parents are in not in a mood to celebrate any longer and are impatient for the junior college admissions to start.
“This year has been crazy because of the government’s haphazard planning,” said Arundati Chauhan, president of the PTA United Forum. “Next time we won’t remain silent if the government makes such last-minute decisions.”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had allowed the state government to continue the best- five system for SSC students and extended the same facility to ISCE students.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}