Few takers for +1 seats in colleges

An analysis of the first few days of admissions indicate that non-medical and commerce have been the most favoured streams by the toppers, followed by medical and arts courses. However, there are very few takers for science stream in the ordinary schools and city government colleges. So far there have been very few takers for Arts in GSSS-38 (West), GSSS- Dhanas, GSSS-Karsan and GSSS-Mani Majra.

There have been very few takers for the plus one science classes in the colleges, which had been introduced only this year for the students of rural areas and colonies of the city as well as extended sections of GMSSS-16 and GMSSS-35.

Even after four days, when all students above 50 per cent marks have been interviewed, not more than 30 seats have been filled out of the total 375 seats in the three colleges. Out of the total 125 applicants who were found to be eligible only 20 have taken admission. There have been nine admissions in GCG-11, six in Government College, Sector 11, and five in GCG-42.

Going by the poor response, the Administration will sooner or later have to decide whether these classes are to be held in separate colleges or in a single college. The administration may even consider students of the nearby rural areas of Punjab and Haryana or throw open seats to the remaining students to fill these seats.

One of the Government college principal attributes the poor turn out to the preference the students of these rural area and colony students preferring Arts stream. Because of poor marks students of ordinary schools normally do not opt for science. The remaining few who study in ordinary schools of urban areas or even the model schools do well and prefer to continue in these schools.

Another college principal is of the view that less takers are on account of the medium of instruction. While they had till now been taking their lessons in Hindi, they will now have to study in English. Moreover, parents prefer to send their wards to nearby schools in villages than far off colleges in the city. However, seats may be filled subsequently with late fee admissions till August 31.

Many of them were found ineligible as they were unable to submit proof of residence in these areas for two years or a document testifying that they had done their schooling in a rural school or from a colony during the preceding two years.

Admissions to the plus one classes of 28 government schools in the city, which include 13 model schools, 14 ordinary schools and an evening school began on July 8 at the common counselling centre in GMSSS-23. While the cut-off percentage in GMSSS-35 was 80.6, it was 80.4 in GMSSS-16. The cut-off percentages in the medical stream was 77.8 per cent and 77, respectively.

An official of the education department has clarified that there will be no classes in GMSSS-23 due to the admission process. The teachers will however have to report for duty. The students with 33 per cent and more marks will be interviewed for admissions to the Arts stream in various schools tomorrow.