Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Single-window system hits poor students: Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, on Tuesday, came out against the single-window system for admission to the Plus One course in higher secondary schools, stating that students in rural areas, the high ranges and the coastal belt had been denied admission.

In a statement here, Mr. Chandy said the system had shut avenues for these students, leading to widespread apprehension among them and their parents.

He said that thousands of seats were lying vacant in schools in all districts. But the Education Minister took great satisfaction saying that all seats except 665 had been allotted. He said the system had delayed admissions. Economically well-placed students secured admissions in unaided schools and those with influence ensured management-quota seats.

The students belonging to the poorer sections were waiting for the State government’s allotment.

The last batch of allotment was held on August 8, which included those who had gained admissions in unaided schools and the management quota. The seats had fallen vacant, virtually denying the poor students an opportunity.

Mr. Chandy said it would take another month for classes to begin after completing the admission process. In effect, the late entrants would lose two months. Most of them had low marks and would have to compete with students in schools where classes had begun.

The system was admittedly introduced to end corruption and inefficiency in the admissions, but it had paved the way for more of these. The unaided sector had made huge gains thus, he added.

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Single-window system hits poor students: Chandy

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