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CET to be spread over two days, counselling to be decentralised

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will conduct the Common Entrance Test 2009 on April 29 and 30, and counselling will be held in three places instead of the current centralised exercise.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Arvind Limbavali, Minister for Higher Education, said the KEA Governing Council met on Wednesday and decided to conduct the CET over two days in the interest of students.

Over the past two years, the crucial test was being conducted on a single day, inconveniencing students, who wanted it spread over two days.

“Till now, counselling was being conducted only in Bangalore, and students from across the State had to come here for seat selection. For the benefit of the student community, the governing council has decided to conduct the counselling session at two other places in the State,” Mr. Limbavali said.

Officials had been instructed to check the feasibility before suggesting the places where counselling could be conducted.

“Factors such as infrastructure and networking facilities will be taken into consideration while choosing the location. A report in this regard will be submitted to the governing council. Technological improvements, which include upgrading software at the KEA in the city, will also be made,” the Minister said.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority will meet representatives of private engineering, medical and dental colleges during the first week of December to discuss seat-sharing and fee structure.

“Hopefully, we will be able to come to an agreement in that one meeting itself. There are a lot of private institutions working for the benefit of students who are likely to meet us halfway,” Mr. Limbavali said

Other issues discussed included providing coaching for CET for students from rural areas, but the modalities still needed to be worked out, he said.

The governing council discussed the introduction of a Defence quota for the CET. S.G. Hegde, Commissioner, Department of Pre-University Education, said the proposal would be sent to the Government.

“After the Legal Department gives us the go ahead, we will take it forward,” he added

Mr. Hegde said the second-year PU results would be announced in May 2009.

“Like last year, we will announce the results as soon as possible.”

This year 758 students who had cleared the second-year Pre-University supplementary examination attended counselling and 683 students opted for seats, the official said.

“Instead of surrendering the excessive seats to the private managements, we wanted the supplementary students to choose the seats, which would ensure that they did not lose out on time,” he added.

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