Some upset Group 3 subject won’t count
Students, parents and principals reacted with cautious enthusiasm to the Supreme Court’s verdict extending the Best-Five policy to ICSE students for this academic year.
Students, parents and principals reacted with cautious enthusiasm to the Supreme Court’s verdict extending the Best-Five policy to ICSE students for this academic year.
The SC said the best five percentage cannot include the optional seventh subject that students appear for such as cookery, computer application and technical drawing. However, students can apply for admission with their percentage based on all seven subjects if that is higher than the best-five percentage.
“The court has been generous in extending the benefits of Best-Five to ICSE students as well,” said Dr C. Pathak, principal of HVB Academy at Marine Lines.
“But it is unfortunate that the Group 3 subject will not count, and these subjects are equally demanding. SSC students will have the advantage this year as they studied knowing about the Best-Five policy before hand.”
Some are worried that the Best-Five facility will decrease their percentage. “Most of us score well in our optional subject so we will be at a disadvantage since that won’t count,” said Green Lawn’s School student Rohil Shah. His percentage drops from 88.2 to 87.8 if he has to count Gujarati in which he scored 78 rather than Physical Education in which he scored 97.
Some are worried that even with their Best-Five percentage they will not be able to match SSC scores. “So many SSC students have got more than 100 per cent. How can ICSE students compete with that even with Best-Five?” said Padmini Hariani, whose son studies at Hiranandani Foundation School.
The SC verdict is an interim order for this academic year. Seema Buch, principal, Gundecha Education Academy, said, “This way it stands this year is fair, but who knows what could happen for the next admissions season?”