Putting the cart before the horse, SSLC students in Karnataka are obtaining admissions to the pre-university course (PUC) even before completing their schooling! More than six months ahead of the SSLC examinations, 2015, several PU colleges have begun admissions for I PU, violating the admission regulations given by the Department of Pre University Education (DPUE).
Colleges are enrolling students based on their class 9 marks. In some colleges, admissions are also being made taking into account the marks of the Summative Assessment (SA) in the first half of the academic year.
Ironically, the SA system (part of the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation) for SSLC was introduced for the first time this year and the tabulations have been incomplete in several schools since teachers are yet to get a hang of the procedure.
The admission guidelines by the DPUE specify that the minimum eligibility for admissions to PU courses is SSLC or an equivalent exam. Also, the department mandates that even private colleges stick to the admission schedule given out after the SSLC results are announced.
When Deccan Herald contacted a well-known PU college in Yelahanka, the office staff said that the college had already begun admissions for I PUC and students had to apply immediately.
“The admission fee is Rs 15,000 and the tuition fee Rs one lakh a year,” a staff member explained, adding that the admission was based on marks obtained in class 9.
The staff member also said that for getting a seat at this price, a student must have scored at least 70 per cent. For marks lower than this, a student will have to shell out more and go through the management quota.
Parents are worried about the effect this might have on their children. A father of a class 10 student at a school in Bilekahalli on Bannerghatta Road said, “In my son’s class, several of his classmates are already admitted to I PUC in different colleges. This is not doing them any good. Students who do not meet the cut-off marks will be demotivated to study for the SSLC exams.”
Lecturers and schoolteachers agree that this is an unhealthy trend. “We have objected to this trend earlier too. Admissions simply cannot be started before the DPUE issues directions. Some institutions are unfortunately encouraging this practice,” Ramu L, Principal of MES PU College, said. Padmini S, Headmistress, R V Girls High School, opined that students would focus on admissions instead of classes.
DPUE director Sushama Godbole said she would discuss the matter with the academic section and formulate regulations accordingly.
