22 October,2010 06:54 AM IST | | Alifiya Khan
After best-five formula, state plans to modify and bring back percentile system for FYJC admissions
For those who thought the confusion over the best-five formula for SSC students was finally sorted out, here's some news. The state government is likely to reintroduce the controversial percentile system from next year.
This means that students will not only have to deal with the best-five but also the percentile system along with it.
Education Minister Balasaheb Thorat, who was in the city yesterday, announced that the state government has put together a team of experts comprising lawyers, academicians, representatives of various school boards to deliberate on this subject.
"The best-five formula ensures that SSC students don't fall behind students of other boards. The new policy of percentile will ensure that students from other boards don't complain of unfairness," said Thorat.
The percentile system was first introduced in 2008. Under this system a student's percentage was divided by an average of the top 10 percentages from that board and multiplied by 100 to decide cut-offs.
Parents of students studying in ICSE and CBSE board opposed it fervently stating that it was biased and it was quashed by the high court later.
Thorat said that he was aware that there were teething problems with the percentile system. But he assured that this time around it would be acceptable to all.
Parents and educationists across the city expressed their displeasure over the announcement. "Every year they come up with a new policy and by the time students and parents prepare to deal with it, a new system comes up. I hope they get their act right this time and decide on one formula that would be favourable to all boards.
Most importantly I hope it would be permanent," said Kanchan Motwani, (36), resident of Bibvewadi whose daughter studies in St Anne's High School.
Teachers fed up
A teacher from St Mary's school requesting anonymity said that academicians were fed up with the state's innovations. "Our minister's are behaving like circus magicians. Every time you think, you've seen the last of their tricks, something new comes out of their hat. Frankly people are fed up of these multiple policies. It's time to give students some stability", she said.
Principal Lily Patel from Sardar Dastur Boys High School said: "Though we cannot comment till we officially hear from the government, we hope that the instructions come in time if decision is indeed taken."
