Internal marks could affect SSC students, say academicians

Class 10 students studying in state board-run schools may face a tough time competing with students from other boards for an FYJC seat in premier junior colleges in the city as academicians from state board schools have said students could be getting lower marks for practical exams. The academicians said this could be because the internal exams conducted by the state board schools this year had external supervisors who might give less marks.

Prashant Redij, principal of a school in Borivali, said, “As the non-state board schools did not have external supervisors most students managed to get full marks in internal exams,” said Mr Redij.

Minnie Vaz, a retired academician from Bandra, said the state board school students have always struggled against students from other boards. “Though the best of five rule is existing and provides state board students a level-playing field, the organised manner in which the other state board schools help their students plan the subjects they opt for in class X gives them an edge,” said Ms Vaz.

G.V. Mhamane, chairman, MSBSHSE, said it would not be right to make such assumptions. “The board has tried to ensure exams are held in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.