A proposal to the state government to scrap the system and restrict the benefit
only for those who fail to get the passing marks, will be applicable from March
2013.
Students appearing for SSC and HSC examinations this year
will be eligible for 25 grace marks for their performance at state, national and
international sporting events. The state government’s decision to give grace marks
only to students falling short of passing marks will be applicable from March 2013.
The state board for secondary and higher secondary education has decided to scrap
the practice of allotting grace marks to all students excelling in sports as it
suspects misuse of the provision after an unprecedented rise in students claiming
grace marks in the last few years. Chairman of the board, Sarjerao Jadhav, said;
the rule will be applicable from next year since students have submitted their performance
in sports for this year.
The decision came in late and hence we will make the rule applicable from March
2013. The board had found a sudden and drastic rise in the number of claimants for
the sports grace marks. Subsequently, it sent a proposal to the state government
to scrap the system and restrict the benefit only for those who fail to get the
passing marks. The proposal was accepted and declared by the state school and sports
departments. The board contends that the change will not do injustice to students
who excel in sports as they can still avail of the 5% quota reserved for them for
admissions to junior college. Participation in sporting events that are endorsed
by apex bodies, the School Games Federation of India, Sports Authority of India
and the State Sports Council, Maharashtra, would be considered for sports quota
marks.
Courtesy: Times of India
