Science cements its popularity over other college streams

Updated on: Friday, June 24, 2011

The science stream has always been the blue-eyed child of the Indian education system, and Humanities is usually given a stepmotherly treatment by students and parents. While perception is slowly changing, a new study shows that science is a popular choice among Mumbai's students. Since 2006, there has been a 27% jump in girls and a 33% increase in boys who are keen on pursuing science in college.

Finance and management degrees continue to record huge growth, especially in Mumbai. The number of girls who were interested in pursuing a career in finance increased from 15% in 2006 to 25% in 2011. A similar trend was seen among male students—a 13% increase in five years. Thirty-two per cent of male students said they wanted to pursue degrees in finance and business management.

Science is the most sought-after field, even as many other popular degrees showed a declining trend. The study was conducted by Youngbuzz—which specializes in career counselling—over a period of nine months where 3,300 students in the three cities, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, were surveyed. Director Bharati Gandhi said an increasing number of students are branching out into specialized science streams.

College professors and principals , however, say the study sample could be misleading and that only students who had completed their Class XII board exam should have been surveyed. Year after year, education trends in the city follow a similar pattern: A rush to science colleges in Class XI and XII is followed by a dramatic drop in students opting for pure sciences at the graduate level. After junior college, a majority of students prepare for specialized degrees in engineering, medicine , business management, hospitality , etc. A huge number of science seats in degree colleges lie vacant , they said.

According to Kirti Narain, principal of Jai Hind College at Churchgate , the college did not declare a cut-off percentage this year in the science stream as there were enough seats for all applicants. "Though science is in great demand after SSC, it dips after HSC. In degree colleges, you will find fewer students opting for pure science," she said.

The study also showed a rise in the number of students choosing 'unconventional' careers. Students expressed an interest in pursing courses that would help them become certified fitness trainers, yoga instructors, dancers, etc. According to Bharati children especially in metros are making career choices independent of their parents ' ambitions.

Times of India

Science cements its popularity over other college streams

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