Many ICSE schools to extend classes to std XII

Updated on: Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Admissions to junior colleges will not be a matter of concern for many Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) students after their results from the next academic year. With the process in state-run junior colleges becoming tedious for most students from Delhi-based boards, many ICSE schools in the city are extending classes up to class XII. The common curriculum for mathematics and science across boards in the country is an additional advantage, schools claim.

Aditi Banerjee, vice-principal, St Gregorios School, Chembur, said, “We already have science and commerce streams at the class XII level. From the coming academic year, we will offer humanities as well.”

Banerjee added, “Many of our school students are interested in continuing with the ISC board. The ISC curriculum is the best among all boards and it prepares students for all competitive exams at the state and centre levels.”

In some schools, parents and students are demanding the ISC section to avoid the grinding admission process in state board colleges. Paul Machado, principal, Campion School, Colaba, said, “Every year, our students find it difficult to get into state-run colleges with new policies being introduced. We are planning to start the ISC section from next year. We are finalising some formalities.”

Chhatrabhuj Narsee Memorial School (CNMS), Juhu, also plans to offer the ISC programme from next year. A school official claimed that they are waiting for additional rooms to be free on the campus to start the sections soon.

Another principal from a reputed school in South Mumbai said, “Most students are keen to get a seat in state-run colleges only for entrance exams. Many believe the state curriculum will help them score well in medical and engineering entrance exams conducted by the state. With a common curriculum in mathematics and science across boards, students need not have any fears.”

ICSE board spokesperson Gerry Arathoon said, “Many schools in Maharashtra have applied for plus-two status and the approval process is on. Most of the schools have applied for provisional ISC affiliation.” He added that the approval takes time as the council checks minutest details before granting permission. “The approval depends on the availability of land and infrastructure as per ICSE norms, availability of teaching and non-teaching staff and also if the institution can manage payment of salaries,” added Arathoon.

400 submit forms

Students have started filling junior college admissions application forms online, a day after ICSE results were announced. According to the office of the deputy director of education, by Wednesday evening, over 400 students from various boards filled application forms, out of which 382 were accepted. “This is part one of the online process, where students fill in basic details on application forms. The next step will be after all results are out – when students will fill in options and submit marks and choice of colleges,” an official said.

Many ICSE schools to extend classes to std XII

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