‘Best Five’ leaves ICSE students confused

The state’s decision to implement the ‘Best Five’ subjects policy for SSC students for junior college admissions has left a trail of confusion.

The state’s decision to implement the ‘Best Five’ subjects policy for SSC students for junior college admissions has left a trail of confusion.

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For the Class 10 board exams, CBSE students write exams in five subjects, ICSE students in seven and SSC students in six. While it is clear that for SSC and CBSE students marks of only five subjects will be counted, there is little clarity on the fate of ICSE students.

“The Best Five policy should apply to us too. We will have to discuss and see what implications this is going to have. We can’t let our students suffer,” said Carl Laurie, principal of Christ Church School at Byculla. About 6000 students are taking the ICSE exam, which begin on March 3.

Officials from three junior colleges — Jai Hind, SIES and Ruia — said they have been counting all the seven subjects for ICSE students for admissions so far. However, Father Frazer Mascarenhas, principal of St Xavier’s College, said his college has been counting five out of the seven subjects for ICSE students.

“Each college takes its own decision on the matter. So far, we have counted all subjects that students write their exams in, though some colleges do count the best six of seven subjects for ICSE students,” said Dr Kirti Narain, principal of Jai Hind College.

The department of education tangled the matter even further. “ICSE and CBSE students give exams worth 500 marks. Now that the best five policy has come in SSC students wont suffer any more,” said NB Chavan, assistant director of the school education department.

Xavier Luis, who had challenged the percentile system and the 90:10 reservation policies for junior college admissions in court, said: “The ICSE board is autonomous. If they wish they can say that from now on they will only declare marks for five subjects rather than seven subjects.”