Late marksheets delay admissions

Updated on: Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ten days after SSC results were announced online, students finally received their original marksheets on Monday. Offline admissions, under various quotas, started immediately after students got their marksheets. But principals and officials felt the process could have started earlier had board officials distributed the marksheets earlier. “Results are usually distributed within five to six days of the online announcement, but they took more time this year due to which the admissions got delayed,” said a senior education official.

Admissions to various quotas (minority, in-house and management) have to be completed before the online process starts. The entire schedule has now been pushed back. “Students can’t apply to colleges without their original marksheets. Now colleges need to finish the offline admissions in 10 days and then surrender their vacant seats for online admissions by July 8,” added the official.

Most colleges started giving out admission forms a week in advance and accepted them only after students received their marksheets on Monday. “We have an internal online admission system for the various quotas and students were allowed to fill the forms from June 22. Our first list should be out by July 2,” said Sunil Mantri, principal of NM College, Vile Parle. “Not many students apply under quotas so it doesn’t take much time to complete the process,” said Harsha Mehta, principal of SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion, which will announce its first list on June 30.

Some students are yet to fill online option forms. “I was scared to fill the option form before checking my marksheet as I didn’t want to make mistakes,” said Abhijit Varde.

Times View

After delaying junior college admissions by several weeks every year for three years, the state board should have avoided hiccups this time. While in 2008 it was the percentile system that held up admissions, the 90:10 policy messed up the 2009 admissions and 2010 was marked by controversy over the best-five policy. Admissions still remain the most stressful phase for students, more than exams. This year, mere documents kept students on the edge. Since admissions can’t commence without original marksheets, the state board should ensure needless delays like this are avoided.

Late marksheets delay admissions

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