In reverse trend,class XI students opting for ‘less popular’ schools

Even though in the last couple of years,the cut-offs for admission to class XI in government schools have popularly established the image of some schools as ‘more popular’ and ‘most opted’,there is a reverse trend of students who like to differ. According to education department officials,there is a reverse trend of students preferring the conventional ‘less preferred’ schools.

“In contrast to the pre-existing image of some schools as being top schools,there are around 10 to 15 percent of these students who,later,opt for schools with less CGPA. Students with CGPA 9 also shift to schools with lesser CGPA of 7or 8. In addition,around 20 percent of the total applicants have rural and periphery schools as their first preference,” said subject expert Sunil Bedi.

There a number of reasons why students opt for change in streams and schools,despite getting into a top school.

“Sometimes the tuition timings are such that students prefer a school closer to their academy. Most of the students with high percentages make their own choice of schools,going by the popular notion,but without considering the practical aspects,” explained Bedi.

“Mostly the students who study in rural schools are from neighboring areas,or those with a lesser CGPA,though some of them also come from nearby small private schools,” observed the principal of a government high school.

Peer pressure is another reason for this mind change. “Some children ask for a transfer as their friends get admission in another school or their association with the teachers may not be satisfactory,even strict attendance make some students opt for a different schools,” noted an official from the Education Department.

This year there are 2210 vacancies even after the second round of counseling and the top schools also have a significant percentage of inflow and outflow of students,a reason why some of them still have vacancies left.