Soon, rules to regulate marks for sports

THE SCHEME CAN BE OF USE TO STUDENTS IF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CAN ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO DISCREPANCIES IN TERMS OF SUBMITTING FAKE CERTIFICATES. VIDYADHAR JOSHI, principal, junior college, VG Vaze College, Mulund

MUMBAI: While the Maharashtra government has reintroduced marks in school and board examinations from 2016 for participating in sports, education department officials said they will come up with measures to ensure that the new rule is not misused.

“The scheme has been modified to help the students who possess talent in sports. However, we will come up with measures next year to ensure no discrepancies,” said a senior official of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), on condition of anonymity.

City school and college principals, while welcoming the decision, demanded stricter rules.

Vidyadhar Joshi, principal of the junior college section of VG Vaze College, Mulund, said, “The criterion for selection of students for sports quota should be made stricter. The scheme can be of use to students if the education department can ensure that there are no discrepancies in terms of submitting fake certificates.”

Jyoti Thakur, external coordinator and for mer vice principal, Jai Hind College, Churchgate, said, “It is a good initiative which will benefit students. Along with the education department, schools and junior colleges need to be cautious and avoid submission of fake sports certificates by students.”

According to the new scheme, s t udents will be awarded between 15 and 25 extra marks in exams under the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Classes 9 and 12 from 2016, if they have excelled in state-level, national-level or internationallevel competitions.

Since 2011, these marks were being given only as grace marks to students failing in board exams after a 2008 scheme for all students playing sports was changed on the recommendation of the board, following its rampant misuse.

“The authorities will not be able to completely stop the misuse of sports quota by the students or the school. However, it can be reduced with a continuous monitoring by the district sports authority,” said a principal of a south Mumbai school, on condition of anonymity.

Source | Hindustan Times | 12 June 2015