State will challenge HC Best-5 verdict

The Maharashtra government will appeal against the Bombay High Court order, which on Wednesday rejected its Best-5 policy for state board Class 10 students.

The Maharashtra government will appeal against the Bombay High Court order, which on Wednesday rejected its Best-5 policy for state board Class 10 students.

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This means junior college admissions will be on hold till the apex court gives its judgement.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday said he expected the court to hear the appeal in the second week of July, as the SC vacation ends on July 5. “The admission process could start by July 10,” Chavan said.

Sources in the government said the state would request the SC to take up the case on an urgent basis.

The third formula to be struck down by the court in three years, the Best-5 policy was drawn up to give a leg up to SSC students, who it believes suffer because the other two boards — ICSE and CBSE — mark more leniently.

Under the Best-5 formula, SSC students’ final percentages would be based on the best five subjects they are tested on, not on all six they appear for.

The high court has rejected the formula terming it as discriminatory against students from other boards.

Skirting questions on the education department’s consistent failure in fixing a formula for SSC, Chavan defended Agriculture Minister Balasaheb Thorat, who holds additional charge of the school education department. “Thorat is competent enough [to hold the charge],” he said.

“I wonder why people did not object then [when the resolution was passed on Feb 25] but later chose to move high court,” Chavan said.

Petitioners — some parents of ICSE students — have filed a caveat in the SC, requesting that the court hear their side before passing an order.

“First we were waiting for our results, then for the HC ruling, now for the final verdict. When will college begin?” said Harsh Aladia, student of St Xavier’s Boys’ Academy.