Date:27/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/27/stories/2007112754450600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Inter weightage marks in Eamcet in Andhra Pradesh

Special Correspondent

Major change in system of admission into professional courses
Chukka Ramaiah criticises move batting for students in rural areas

HYDERABAD: Heralding a major change in system of admission into professional courses, the Government has issued orders for giving 25 per cent weightage to the marks secured by students in Intermediate (MPC and BPC streams) in giving admissions through the Eamcet for engineering, medical, pharmacy, agricultrure and dental sciences courses.

The Intermediate weightage system will be introduced from 2009 onwards.

The Government order through GOMs No 165 dated September 6, 2007 stipulates that 25 per cent weightage is to be given to Intermediate marks; the remaining 75 per cent marks obtained in the Eamcet examination would be counted for determining the overall ranking for admissions into professional courses.

The Government explained that the decision was taken in view of the growing tendency among Intermediate students to concentrate more on preparation for the Eamcet and other Common Entrance Tests while neglecting the study of core subjects leading to lack of basic conceptual knowledge at the Intermediate level. However, the Government order came in for severe criticism from noted academician and MLC Chukka Ramaiah who argued that such a move would further widen the gulf between rural and urban students. While the Government junior colleges in rural and semi-urban areas still lacked in infrastructure, the problem of vacancy of lecturers was another big problem. However, the corporate colleges had an edge over them.

The valuation by the Board of Intermediate was also not up to the mark and several lapses had also been noticed by the Government. Unless there is a clear conduct of exams, the latest move would further damage the interests of rural students, Mr. Ramaiah said.