BU leaves private II PU candidates in fix

In a bolt from the blue for first-year degree students who have completed II PUC as private candidates, colleges, after admitting them to degree courses, are now not allowing them to attend classes.

The move comes in the wake of a recent decision by Bangalore University (BU) not to permit private candidates into degree courses.

The university recently decided that candidates who have cleared II PUC through private mode do not meet the academic requirements for admissions to degree courses.

University vice-chancellor B Thimme Gowda said while the UGC specifies “10+2” as the minimum requirement for degree, private candidates appear directly for II PUC exams and hence it is “technically” not “10+2”.
Colleges informed students that their admissions are not valid and that they cannot register for the semester exams.

Students caught in the muddle say: “Why did the university take the decision after admissions? Students appear for exams in private mode due to family problems and financial constraints and hence they should be given an opportunity to continue education.”

Speaking to Deccan Herald, a first year student, Alam Pasha said: “We have been issued ID cards by the college. Now they are saying that we will not be allowed to continue. Principals are saying they are helpless. We tried to get in touch with the vice-chancellor but in vain.”

Asha, another candidate, after completing SSLC in regular mode discontinued studies owing to family problems.

Ten years later when she wanted to continue her education, she was told that her only option to complete PUC was to take the exam in private as she had crossed the age limit prescribed for the exam through the regular mode.

Asha is now 26 and after having finally managed to clear II PUC, she is now pursuing a degree course in a private college in the City.

While sources in the BU hinted that the university might consider taking a lenient stand on the present set of students, no official decision has been announced.