In 5 Years, No. Of Girls & Boys Choosing Science Has Increased By 27% & 33% Respectively
The science stream has always been the blue-eyed child of
the Indian education system, and Humanities is usually given a step motherly treatment
by students and parents. While perception is slowly changing, a new study shows
that science is a popular choice among Mumbai's students. Since 2006, there has
been a 27% jump in girls and a 33% increase in boys who are keen on pursuing science
in college.
Finance and management degrees continue to record huge growth, especially in Mumbai.
The number of girls who were interested in pursuing a career in finance increased
from 15% in 2006 to 25% in 2011. A similar trend was seen among male students a
13% increase in five years. Thirty-two per cent of male students said they wanted
to pursue degrees in finance and business management.
Science is the most sought-after field, even as many other popular degrees showed
a declining trend. The study was conducted by Young buzz which specializes in career
counseling over a period of nine months where 3,300 students in the three cities,
Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, were surveyed. Director Bharati Gandhi said an increasing
number of students are branching out into specialized science streams.
College professors and principals, however, say the study sample could be misleading
and that only students who had completed their Class XII board exam should have
been surveyed. Year after year, education trends in the city follow a similar pattern:
A rush to science colleges in Class XI and XII is followed by a dramatic drop in
students opting for pure sciences at the graduate level. After junior college, a
majority of students prepare for specialized degrees in engineering, medicine, business
management, hospitality, etc. A huge number of science seats in degree colleges
lie vacant, they said.
According to Kirti Narain, principal of Jai Hind College at Churchgate, the college
did not declare a cut-off percentage this year in the science stream as there were
enough seats for all applicants. Though science is in great demand after SSC, it
dips after HSC. In degree colleges, you will find fewer students opting for pure
science, she said.
The study also showed a rise in the number of students choosing unconventional
careers. Students expressed an interest in pursuing courses that would help them
become certified fitness trainers, yoga instructors, dancers, etc. According to
Bharati children especially in metros are making career choices independent of their
parent’s ambitions.
Courtesy: Times of India
