The Karnataka Education Board is all set for a virtual revamp. With the Karnataka Pre University Education Board giving its nod to the online admission process of PU Colleges, the era of online progression seems to have dawned upon the state. Following the success models of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Chandhigarh, the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has shed light on its plans of making CET counselling for seat allocation online.

The objective is to increase transparency and reduce hassles for students and parents. Online admission into PU colleges, which has already seen implementation with application forms available online, has been lauded by many as a preferred change. But will a similar fate await the proposed CET online counselling too?

The proposed process involves annual verification of documents and testimonials of students in helpline centres after the declaration of CET results; issue of an individual ID and password to each student through which the online portal can be accessed; entry of a student’s choices in terms of college, category, course and discipline. He can opt for more than one course too though he will be required to prioritise his options. For example, a student can enter options of engineering and medicine, but he must prioritise if he should enter engineering or medicine as his first option.

This will happen in three rounds, with a seven-day gap to exercise the available options, during which a student can either take admission, seek a better option or surrender his seat to apply in the next round of counselling. The surrendered and non-allocated seats will be pooled in for the next round of counselling. Seat allotments will begin with medical, followed by ISMH (Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy), engineering and architecture.

Though the suggested process seems infallible, the big question is its practicability. Students across the state have their anxieties and confusions, which are leading to unfounded speculations.

Reflecting the concerns of many students, Anagha K, a student of Deeksha Integrated PU College (PCMB), who is awaiting her CET results, said: “The primary concern is the list of choices that one has to provide. A lot of thought must be put in, and several permutations and combinations must be done with regard to the priority list. If we go wrong in preparing this list, our future is at stake.”

Piyush Sharma, a student of Kumaran’s PU College (PCME) said: “There is uncertainty as we wouldn’t know whether or not we’re really in merit for a particular course in a particular college. The only source we have of finding out is the previous year’s seat matrix, which has its set of limitations”.

The FAQs on the website clarify doubts. But a lack of confidence in the ability of the process, apprehension owing to its first time and uncertainty of technical glitches have caused alarm and panic among students.

According to the website, a student can enter as many options as she likes. Also, she can change his options as many times, within the stipulated date.

Ameen Mudassar, career counsellor and director, CIGMA India, said that this kind of options list would result in a superficial demand for top colleges, for every student, irrespective of his merit, would want to try his luck at getting into the top colleges.

He said: “The KEA should roll out the process much in advance. They must ensure there is no deficiency in communication of the procedure to students. Infrastructure issues like the software, servers, etc should be taken care of.”

There seems to be unequivocal optimism over one aspect though. This step would solve the issue of seat blocking. Elaborating, Mudassar said: “Previously, a student could block seats in various institutions simultaneously. Such unclaimed seats would eventually become management seats, much to the disadvantage of meritorious students.”

The current proposal aims to solve this.

Another major concern is about students who are not fortunate enough to acquire computers or computers with internet facilities and those without the know-how of using them. A total of 6 lakh students appeared for the II PU exams this year, of which 1,83,093 were from rural areas. Of a total of 1.2 lakh students who appeared for CET this year, a major chunk was from the rural parts of the state. These students will be left in the lurch if the process of online counselling does not implement modalities for a horizontal inclusion of these factions. Helpline centres and kiosks for aiding such students are proposed.

The country has seen much of the education process shifting gears to go virtual. It is time saving, convenient and reduces spatial divide of many students. Exams like IIT- Humanities (IIT HSEE) and CAT have gone online. Though there were initial glitches, experience is honing them for the better. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and AIEEE counselling have also gone online, without many hiccups. Online processes are definitely a move forward, but proper and handy information, accessible communication and helplines putting in that extra effort for an inclusion of the disadvantaged student community and finally, but most importantly, ensuring a fail-proof technology and software are the ingredients that would make it an effective potion.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home> Analysis> Report / by Pragati KB / Place: Bangalore / Agency: DNA / Monday, May 28th, 2012