New FYJC rules imperil students’ subject choices

Mumbai: The new procedure for first year junior college (FYJC) admissions says that a student cannot cancel the admission once taken. However, because of this rule, students are forced to compromise with the choice of college and subjects.

Once allotted, for two years the student has to continue with the subject without having the option of changing it. On the other hand, colleges are happy with the new system as unlike till last year, students do not keep cancelling admissions and create trouble for the college. Sameer Joshi (name changed) who got admission at a top college in south Mumbai, said he is “shattered” by just thinking about studying Hindi for the next two years instead of Information Technology (IT).

Mr Joshi’s parents have been trying to meet the State’s School Education Department officials and the colleges but nothing has come of it. The reason? The new online system cannot be managed or controlled physically. “Whatever it is, is in the hands of the students (while filling the form), (the number of) vacant seats and the cut-off percentage of the student. Once the file is filled and submitted, no one can do anything about it,” said a senior officer at the department.

Abhishekh Patil, another student, said, “My dream was to learn German and go to Germany one day. But my allotted college says I have to go for French as they feel all languages are the same and it does not matter. But they are not!”

Sudha Vyas, principal of KJ Somaiya College, said, “The problem is that (availability of seats for a subject) can’t be seen by a student while filling the admission form. By the time they get to know, their names are already allotted. Moreover, now if they go to cancel their admission, they won’t get admission anywhere as they will be out of the process.”