Last year, 1,275 students applied from outside Maharashtra, this year it has gone
down to 917
Students from outside Maharashtra may be attracted to the
city's degree colleges in large numbers, but at junior college level, the numbers
are falling every year. Applications from outside the state ran into
a few thousands a couple of years ago, but fell below 1000 this year. Academicians
claim the long process and uncertainties over policies may have forced many to stay
away from the colleges in the state.
Last year, 1,275 students applied from outside Maharashtra, this year it has gone
down to 917. Students applying in Mumbai from other boards excluding ICSE and CBSE
also have gone down from 754 to 494 this year. Principals from city colleges blame
it on the long process of online admissions.
Manju Nichani, Principal of KC College, Churchgate, said, the process has become
very long in the last two three years. The colleges here began as late as August
and then students are not sure about securing admissions after the long wait. So
the numbers must be falling. Also, they are too young at junior college level to
move out of their states. Kirti Narain, Principal of Jai Hind College, Churchgate,
said, the states policies have not been consistent in the last few years. There
is a lot of uncertainty in admissions to junior colleges. There are domicile issues
if students want to pursue their higher education here, said Narain. Another principal
said students who come from outside the state now could be only those whose parents
have been transferred here. The education department, however, has not analysed
figures of candidates from outside Maharashtra state. The numbers have fallen, but
we can't attribute it to any particular reason, said an official.
Courtesy: Times of India
