Mumbai: Approximately 900 young and ambitious engineering enthusiasts in the vibrant state of Maharashtra find themselves in a momentary pause, their dreams of pursuing higher education temporarily suspended. The cause of this unexpected delay lies in the lingering suspense surrounding the results of their supplementary class 12 examinations, a critical milestone on their educational journey. As they anxiously await the outcome, their hopes and aspirations remain undeterred, ready to spring back to life once the elusive results finally unveil their academic fate. This hiccup in their path to engineering excellence serves as a testament to their resilience and determination, reinforcing the belief that even temporary setbacks cannot dampen the spirit of these aspiring engineers.
Amidst the tumultuous dance of deadlines and academic aspirations, a group of students finds themselves trapped in a bureaucratic limbo. The calendar of their academic journey took an unexpected twist when the supplementary exam results were unveiled on August 28, a mere three days after the iron gates of opportunity slammed shut for admission to engineering colleges on August 25.
This unfortunate timing conundrum has compelled these students to raise their voices in a plea to the education authorities. Their impassioned request: reopen the admission portal for a narrow three-day window, a lifeline for dreams deferred.
While the story of these students is one of near-miss glory, the plot thickens with the backdrop of rigorous regulations. Many of them had indeed triumphed in achieving the required Common Entrance Test (CET) scores, but their hopes were dashed upon the unforgiving rocks of a stringent requirement – the minimum score in the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) group of class 12 exams.
The mathematical equation of dreams and regulations became painfully apparent. Scores that teetered on the precipice of success, like a student from Shahapur’s 118 out of the needed 120 marks in PCM, were heart-wrenchingly insufficient. Yet, their CET percentiles gleamed like beacons, all soaring above the formidable 90% mark.
In a bid to bridge this narrow chasm between their aspirations and reality, these tenacious students embarked on a quest to improve their PCM scores through class improvement exams. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) organized this opportunity, but fate had other plans.
As the heavens unleashed torrential rains upon their determination, one of their pivotal exams faced an unavoidable delay of 10 days. With each raindrop, their dreams were further washed away, as the results, too, lingered in the clouds of uncertainty.
Thus, amidst the backdrop of downpours and dashed dreams, these students found themselves in a harrowing waiting game, where time waits for none, and admissions gates had seemingly slammed shut forever.
In the heat of July and the swelter of August, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) embarked on a noble mission: a class improvement examination that would redefine destinies. Commencing on July 18 and scheduled to conclude on August 8, this academic endeavor held the promise of redemption for aspiring engineers.
However, nature had different plans. As the skies above Maharashtra poured forth their relentless tears, some of the examination papers had to be rescheduled, pushing the students further into the abyss of uncertainty. It was a race against time, where the elements conspired against academic ambitions.
August 28 dawned with both anticipation and trepidation as the results were finally declared. For many, it was a bittersweet moment of triumph mixed with the harsh reality of time slipping away.
One student, with a score that met the prerequisites for engineering admission, recounted their dilemma: “In this examination, I secured the score that is required for engineering admission. When I approached the CET cell, I realized that the admission process for engineering ended on August 25.” It was a cruel twist of fate, where achievement collided head-on with the unyielding clock.
Another student, hailing from Thane, echoed a similar tale of despair. They approached the engineering college with hope still flickering, only to be met with a heart-wrenching response from the principal. There were vacancies, but the doors of opportunity remained locked, the admission process having already reached its conclusion. A subsequent plea to the CET cell yielded no response, leaving them in a bewildering limbo.
In the corridors of academic governance, senior senate member Supriya Karande raised her voice in solidarity with the stranded students. Her impassioned plea resonated: “The CET cell must give a chance to these students. These students have cleared the CET as well as fulfilled the criteria for minimum marks. If the result of a supplementary examination is declared late, why should a student be punished?” It was a call for justice in the face of bureaucratic rigidity, a plea for a second chance when the hands of time had played a cruel trick.
“I will be meeting the commissioner of the CET cell on Tuesday and requesting that they consider these students for admission.”
Pointing out the academic calendar given by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Karande said, “As per the schedule given by the AICTE, an apex body for technical education, September 15 is the last date up to which first-year students can be admitted against vacancies. With this CET cell, we can give a chance to these students.”
Meanwhile, Mahendra Warbhuwan, commissioner of the state CET cell, said, “We received a request from the students about this. But to regularise the admission schedule this year, we published our admission program long ago, and as per this, the academic year has also started. So, it is not possible to admit this student at this stage.”
For more news click here!
