HSC Board plumbs merit list

The flashbulbs popped, the applause rang out and words of gratitude flowed thick and fast. But the platitudes were just the same. Last we...

The flashbulbs popped, the applause rang out and words of gratitude flowed thick and fast. But the platitudes were just the same. Last week, the academic fraternity felicitated yet another group of HSC toppers, who thanked their teachers, alma maters and coaching classes for the accolades. For a day, at least, they were the toast of the city.At the end of the day, colleges and coaching classes came out the winners, assured of another batch of meritorious students making a beeline for them. As for the toppers, they have not necessarily come out covered in glory, for career options usually do not mirror the merit list.

Consider this: HSC joint toppers Yogesh Mehta and Nandan Telang passed their SSC examination from Parle Tilak Vidyalaya, Vile Parle, and the HSC examination from the D G Ruparel College, Mahim. Both institutions have consistently churned out toppers over the years. Both went to coaching classes for that extra practice. They emerged as the best of the best. Their ranking at the Indian Instituteof Technology?: 2,868 and 2,464 respectively!Though Mehta reasons that this is due to their own overemphasis on the HSC exam, Prof Jitendra Shah from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute at Matunga says it is not an unusual phenomenon. 8220;This is because the pattern of preparation for the board examination is oriented towards a particular style of answering and memory without concept. Those who can manage this become toppers. Which is why you have some average8217; students performing better at the IIT for exactly the opposite reason.8221;

The point is, what is this merit8217; we are applauding? That too one which has been coaxed along by extra coaching by the so-called meritorious colleges where there is a greater concentration of talent in any case. The better known coaching classes too screen out the average8217; student, thus bettering their own results!

An educationist and mother of a prospective HSC student, Chandrika recalls an HSC topper8217;s statement. 8220;It does not require much intelligenceto stand first. All it requires is the ability to learn by rote so well that your answers come out pat. It8217;s like brushing your teeth,8221; she remarks.This is why, when these talents end up in specialised disciplines like engineering, they fail miserably, Prof Shah points out. It also speaks volumes for the HSC curriculum. Worse, the student has not even inculcated the problem-solving approach and self-learning 8211; the hallmark of higher education, he explains.

Mehta points out that since the HSC result has been the basis for entry into professional disciplines like engineering and medicine till last year at least in Maharashtra, meritorious students and institutions emphasise only marks and the general merit list. 8220;If the authorities suddenly decide to conduct a common entrance test for engineering as well, the pressure on students to perform at the HSC examination will reduce greatly,8221; he says. However, if that steals the HSC exam of its glamour and hype, it does not diminish its relevance. It is hightime academicians took a long, hard look at the HSC curriculum and examination pattern and found out why these students fare so poorly vis-a-vis the national competitive examinations or even in professional disciplines.

It is this very neglect that is making some schools like the G D Somani School at Cuffe Parade slowly shift to the Indian Certificate for Secondary Education Board pattern. The latter offers a more comprehensive curriculum and subject combinations and pattern of examination.

Moreover, it is not just academicians who are recognising this. It is increasingly becoming apparent among the discerning and paying class as well. Principal M P Sharma from G D Somani School will vouch for that.Acknowledging that HSC students usually do not perform well in their career choices, educationist G M Dabholkar says the government is making an effort to upgrade the HSC board8217;s standard. Set up two years ago, the 11-member committee Dabholkar is a member called the Nikal Sudhar Committee Result ImprovementCommittee, the panel is in the process of preparing recommendations which will be submitted to the state government.

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8220;We have invited opinions from principals, teachers and others, on parameters like the differences between the HSC board vis-a-vis the Indian School Certificate ISC and the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE. We have asked how we can improve the HSC pattern. We have received 19,000 suggestions. We are currently using these as a basis of framing recommendations which we shall submit to the government. These refer to subject content, subject combinations, optionals, etc,8221; Dabholkar says.He says the process will take about two months. Let8217;s hope it will not go pre-primary way.

Sudeshna Chatterjee is a reporter with The Indian Express. She covers education