State wants colleges to stick with online form submissions

Despite failing to garner a favourable feedback from colleges over submitting the application forms for HSC students appearing for the October exam, officials of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) have now asked colleges to adhere to online submissions for students appearing for the exam in February 2014.u00a0

Commenting on the issue, Laxmikant Pande, chairman of Mumbai Divisional State Board, said, "Since the procedure of accepting forms for students appearing for HSC exam in October brought in convenience, we decided to apply it for February 2014 as well. Though the number of students appearing in February will be more, we hope that colleges will find it convenient to send application forms online to the board. If the forms are filled immediately upon issuance, colleges won't face any problem."

Confirming the development, MSBSHSE chairperson G K Mhamane said officials were working hard to eliminate the glitches that marred submissions for students appearing in October.

"Colleges will be informed about dates to fill online forms by next week. However, forms for SSC students will have to be filled manually. We are expecting about 15 lakh students to appear for the HSC exam in February 2014."

T Shiware, director of KPB Hinduja College in Charni Road, said, "It will be convenient to fill application forms online. But colleges will have to deploy additional employees as the number of students appearing in February is always higher than in October."

Ramesh Deshpande, vice-principal of Bhavan's College in Andheri, said, "The colleges will have a tough time if they stick to the online procedure. Board charges late fee if the forms are filled late, which happens because of the glitches in the software it introduced. If the Board can pay schools Rs 25 for helping FYJC students fill forms, then why not colleges? After all, it's the colleges that are using their systems to help HSC students."

Mehek Gvalani, vice-principal of KC College, said, "We need to become tech-savvy. But the procedure should be error-free. And just like in case of schools, the Board should pay colleges as online submissions require additional manpower."u00a0