HSC practicals deferred to April 1

The divisional board chairman, S Abidi said: “The practicals schedule has only been changed in junior colleges attached to degree colleges. But in junior colleges attached to high schools, the HSC practical exams will start on schedule from March 2 to 10.”

However, though the Board has decided to postpone the exams in all the concerned colleges, there was some confusion among principals who were yet to receive the official circular from the Sion Boardoffice.

“We had made all the arrangements to hold the practicals on March 2 in the subjects of physics, chemistry and biology. But due to this announcement by the Board, we are left with no other option but to postpone the exams of our 1000 science candidates,” Principal D B Kadam of Bhavan’s College in Andheri said.

The Principal of Ramnarain Ruia College, Dr R T Sane, added their college had to postpone the exams as the R B Singh faction is very active in the campus. Principal P M Sule of D G Ruparel College also confirmed the postponement on account of the indefinite strike by their non-teaching staff.

One of the leaders from the R B Singh Union, Sudarshan Agre, told this newspaper that the strike will be effective in over 500 colleges in the state. “The state government had promised us they will revise our pay scales with effect from 1994, but they have only done it from 1997 onwards, hence we stand to lose a lot of money. Though the Minister of Higher and Technical Education Datta Rane hasassured to look into this matter, we shall not rest until the government brings out a circular,” Agre informed.

However, some colleges like Jai Hind and St Xavier’s, which do not have R B Singh’s union, have decided to hold the exams as per the original schedule. Principal N W Shivdasani of Jai Hind College said: “We will go ahead with practicals on March 2 itself as our non-teaching staff members have decided to fully co-operate with us.”

The divisional board secretary G Kanthe added if some of the colleges give in writing that they are willing to take the responsibility of holding the exams, the Board will consider it again.

However, when contacted, the Minister of State for Education Anil Deshmukh said all the concerned candidates should be duly informed if a college decides to carry on with the practicals on Monday.