Educationists divided over Maharashtra govt move on ATKT

The state government's proposal to introduce ATKT (Allowed To Keep Term) system in SSC and HSC examinations has drawn mixed response from...

The state government’s proposal to introduce ATKT (Allowed To Keep Term) system in SSC and HSC examinations has drawn mixed response from educationists, with most emphasising it would be a retrograde step. There are also differences over whether students availing ATKT be allowed admission to junior and degree colleges, or whether their access be restricted to vocational courses, as the government has proposed.

The government’s contention is, the system would help the over 7 lakh students who fail in both the exams annually, as they’d be able to join vocational courses immediately. They wouldn’t have to lose a year. The idea is to allow a student who fails in SSC or HSC to keep term and join a vocational course on the condition that he clears the exam within two years of admission to such a course. Students won’t be admitted to junior and degree colleges on the basis of this system, according to Higher and Technical Education Minister Datta Rane. Their access would be restricted mainly to Minimum CompetencyVocational Courses (MCVC), he added.

Educationists agree the system would help weak students, but they’re quick to point out flaws. M G Shirahatti, principal of Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce and Economics, said: “At the university level, we’re trying to do away with ATKT, and Mumbai University has reduced ATKTs from three to two subjects in degree courses.” But the government move will let students who’re not academically inclined find a career of their choice, he added.

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D B Kadam, principal of Bhavan’s College, Andheri, said a better idea would be to introduce alternative subjects in the SSC and HSC curriculum. Most students find English and Maths difficult, so if they’re allowed to choose another subject instead, the problem will be solved, he said.

According to principal of NM College M K Desai, ATKTs defeat the very purpose of a good educational system. “It’s just convenience education and doesn’t focus on improving students’ performance,” he said.

However, Abha Dharam Pal, principal ofUtpal Sanghvi School, Vile Parle, said: “If a student passes the 10th October exam, he/she should be allowed to appear for the 11th exam in April.”

Rohit Chaugaonkar, a 12th std student from Atomic Energy Junior College, felt ATKT isn’t a step in the right direction. “It will only promote complacency among students. In fact, it should be scrapped from degree and junior colleges too,” he said.