Why not have papers based on various boards for CET? Bombay HC questions the state

SSC students check their results outside Balmohan Vidya Mandir at Shivaji Park. File pic/Ashish Raje

In what gives a ray of hope for students from non-state board schools aspiring for First Year Junior College (FYJC) admissions, the Bombay High Court has sought clarity from the state, about whether the Common Entrance Test (CET) can have papers from different boards based on their curricula. The CET is scheduled for August 21.

Since its inception, the CET has been surrounded by ambiguity and doubts. There are 16 lakh state board students, which are more than those in other boards combined and hence the CET is based on the state board curriculum.

The foremost concern about CET was raised by non-state board students and their parents as the 100 mark multiple choice questions (MCQ) test is going to be based on the state board curriculum.

Considering the differences in curricula of different boards, non-state board students have been complaining of being at a disadvantage when it comes to scoring in CET, which affects their chance of getting into a college of their choice. While post std X results, the demand to do away with CET has increased among students and parents, as scores are really good, the non-state board students are strong on their stand of having different question papers if the test has to happen.

The HC has directed state on Thursday to inform whether there can be a separate syllabi for non-state board students for CET. The court is hearing a case challenging the pattern of CET which is based solely on state board syllabus. The next hearing is scheduled for July 28.

‘Unfair to kids'

"In this current CET pattern, it is unfair to ask children to appear without having studied for it. And even as now the curriculum has been clarified, there is very little time to give justice to preparation. Why not consider preparing different question papers for different board students?" questioned Dr Sharmishtha Kewle, a parent whose ward is from international board.

"It will be very important to see what the state responds to the HC as that is going to either resolve the issue or further complicate it. There are very few days remaining for the test and the uncertainty is stressful. Even as marks are on the higher side after std X results of two boards, and CET is optional, for those from urban areas such as Mumbai, Pune it has become a compulsion as competition is tough for FYJC admissions. In this case, the current pattern favours state board students," said Ajit Kamath, a parent whose son is in ICSE.

Currently the registration process for CET has been halted due to a technical glitch on the website.