Page 70 - EducationWorld August 2022

Special Report

try’s 27,176 CBSE-affiliated schools
because the computer-based CUET
comprising one language test, two
domain-specific papers and a general
test in the MCQ (multiple choice ques-
tions) format, is entirely based on the
syllabus and textbooks of the Delhi-
based National Council for Education-
al Research & Training (NCERT), fol-
lowed by the small minority of CBSE
schools. Students of the country’s 32
state education boards which devise
their own syllabuses and textbooks
will be at a relative disadvantage when
writing CUET.
For some states, this is no small
matter. After CUET was promulgated
on March 21, the Tamil Nadu legis- Ahmad: elitist conspiracy Gautam: deprivation marks demand
lative assembly passed a resolution
(April 11) demanding its withdrawal private schools. ernment school students should be
because CUET doesn’t provide “equal Tamil Nadu legislators are not the given first preference for admission
opportunity to students who have only critics of CUET. Since the com- into publicly funded universities,” says
studied in varied state board syllabi mon entrance test for Central univer- H arish G au t am , member (Delhi &
across the country”. sities was peremptorily announced Haryana) state committee of KYS.
“ CUET IS A CONSPIRACY TO are protesting the “unfair advantage” ment and budget private schools are
on March 21, several organisations
Parents and students of govern-
it provides CBSE/private school stu-
shut state board students
not the only communities dissatisfied
out of Central universities,
especially the elite colleges dents to the detriment of government with CUET. Several college manage-
school students, most of whom are
ments object to the erosion of institu-
of Delhi University. With class XII unlikely to afford supplementary test tional autonomy implicit in admission
board exam scores having become prep coaching. On June 15, Kranti- based solely on CUET scores.
irrelevant for college admission and kari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), a stu- For instance, St. Stephen’s College
CUET solely based on NCERT text- dents’ organisation, staged a massive — ranked India’s #1 arts, science and
books — which state boards don’t anti-CUET protest in Delhi demand- commerce college in the EW India
follow — students of government and ing government school students be Higher Education Rankings 2022-23
budget private schools affiliated with awarded “deprivation marks” by Cen- — is at loggerheads with its affiliat-
state exam boards have very little tral universities to boost their CUET ing Delhi University over the latter’s
chance of getting high CUET scores. scores. decree to admit students solely on the
Unless of course they pay thousands “All public universities should basis of CUET scores. On April 20,
of rupees to coaching centres to prep add 20 percent deprivation marks to the college management announced
them for this exam. It’s tragic that a CUET scores of government school ap- that it will interview applicants with
decision with nationwide ramifica- plicants for undergrad admission; in- a sufficiently high CUET rank with 85
tions was taken without consulting crease the number of seats and intro- percent weightage given to the test
state governments, state boards and duce evening classes to accommodate rank and 15 percent to an interview.
private schools. The education minis- a larger number of students. There is Subsequently on June 1, the college
try should have first homogenised and a huge quality difference between pri- filed a petition in the Delhi high court
equalised all state board syllabuses vate and government schools which praying for a stay on DU’s admission
before implementing CUET. It’s a hur- places us at a disadvantage when directive.
riedly implemented initiative which writing CUET. How can parents who Evidently the management of St. Ste-
will highly benefit test prep coaching have enrolled their children in free- phen’s, a private aided college affili-
schools,” says Sy e d Sham ae l A h - of-charge government schools afford ated with Delhi University, which for
m ad, Patna-based president of the coaching fees of Rs.30,000-50,000 mysterious reasons has been denied
Private Schools and Children Welfare per year? CUET has leveled the play- autonomous status despite its 5-star
Association, which has a membership ing field only for private schools and NAAC rating and top ranking in all
of 25,000 private — including budget middle class children. We believe gov- media (including EW ) league tables

70 EDUCATIONWORLD AUGUST 2022