89% ICSE students scored higher with best-5
A majority of the state’s Class 10 students, who took the ICSE exam this year, benefited from Maharashtra’s best-five policy even though the Group III subject can’t be considered in the average.
A majority of the state’s Class 10 students, who took the ICSE exam this year, benefited from Maharashtra’s best-five policy even though the Group III subject can’t be considered in the average.
An analysis of the results of 9,300 ICSE students in Mahara-shtra showed that 89% got a higher score with the best-five average compared to when their score was calculated for all seven subjects. ICSE students cannot count the Group III subject, which includes technical drawing, computer applications, among others as 50% of the assessment for these subjects is done by the school.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court had ruled that the best-five scheme, which allows students to count scores of only the top five subjects, would continue as an admission policy for students from all boards while applying to junior colleges in Maharashtra.
While passing the interim order in July, the SC had said that an ICSE student seeking admission to junior college on the basis of the best-five formula would be allowed to choose subjects only from Group I and Group II. The bench ruled out including any Group III subject while calculating the aggregate for ICSE students.
“Best-five is alright as an admission policy, but it goes against the National Policy of Education which focuses on all-round education,” said SV Kedia, honorary secretary of the Unaided Schools’ Forum, who conducted the analysis. “In the future, students will not pay attention to the Group III subject and schools also may not focus on these subjects.”
Perin Bagli, principal of Activity School and secretary of the Association of ICSE Schools in Maharashtra said that inclusion of the Group III subject would be better for students. “The notion that students score well and don’t have to study is all humbug. There is a lot of theory, lot of projects and students work hard for it,” said Bagli.