Plan to re-start 2 classes in colleges8217;

This move marks a reversal of the earlier policy of the administration of phasing out the two classes from city colleges. At present, DAV College, Sector 10, is the only college which runs Plus Two classes in science. The other college which offered Plus Two classes, MCM DAV College, discontinued the practice two years ago.

Two sections, one each in the medical and the non-medical stream, are likely to be introduced at both the Government College for Girls, Sector 11 and Sector 42 respectively. Government College, Sector 11, will be allowed one section in the non-medical stream.

The seats in these colleges will be in addition to the existing seats in schools. It is learnt that students from rural areas and colonies will be given preference in colleges.

A meeting in this regard was convened by the Education Secretary recently and included representatives from schools and colleges. It is learnt that the proposal did not find favour with schools, although colleges reacted favourably to the proposal. The meeting remained inconclusive and a final decision in this regard is likely very shortly.

School teachers are of the view that students remain more disciplined in schools, and that Plus Two classes should remain with them as is the policy nationwide. Seats often remain vacant in the science stream in ordinary schools. The opinion in the administration is that colleges are better equipped due to good laboratory facilities and more qualified staff.

However, it is the extent of the surplus staff in colleges which is weighing heavily on the administration. When Plus Two classes were shifted from city colleges to schools, many teachers in the city colleges became redundant.

A significant factor in science education in the city has been the decline in the number of students in B.Sc. classes.