Students opting for science group are less now in TN schools
Posted on: 19/Dec/2018 10:14:08 AM
In the past science subject was highly preferred by the students after completing their tenth class in the state of Tamil Nadu and many students joined science stream. The latest news is the trend has reversed and the number of class 11 students who opted for the science stream this year has reduced by 15,000 at private and matriculation schools in TN. It is brought out that 10,000 more students opted for commerce group after completing their tenth class. This has been confirmed by an official data.
There are few factors such as NEET or National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test, poor engineering placements, not so difficult commerce subject etc and these factors were responsible for the students to opt for commerce group in their 11th class. This was as per the opinion teachers and experts. Mr. S. Prabhudoss of TN Post Graduate Teachers Association expressed his thoughts and said besides dip in the initial enrollment, many toppers opted for commerce group in class 11 during the academic year. He also threw light on how the advice given by peers, teachers and neighbours etc played role in changing the mindset of the students and how the students selected commerce group. It was brought out that the students were advised by these above mentioned people regarding the possibility of getting job without much difficulty if they joined commerce group. The above mentioned group of people assured the students of jobs as a basic degree was only required to apply for the competitive examinations conducted by the banks and public service commission.
As per R. Vishalakshi, president of TN private matriculation schools association, many students preferred commerce with computer science group than commerce with business mathematics group as there was not much difference in the job opportunities or in the initial pay offered to BSc (computer science) graduate when compared to B.E/B. Tech computer science graduate.
Mr. Prabhudoss later spoke about how except for the government colleges, fees are high in most of the colleges and how many private self-financing colleges have started offering B.Com courses with scholarships. Many mediocre students who do not have a chance of admissions at the government colleges through single window counselling opt for commerce. Educationalist Mr. Prince Gajendra Babu was of the opinion that NEET was the main factor that was responsible for the students to opt for commerce group. The students who do not have resources or can’t spend their time for another entrance test prefer commerce group in their class 11. He explained about the rise in the NEET applications despite reduction in science enrolment and said students who are already pursuing their higher secondary would give it a chance. He later spoke about how these students have very little chance to clear NEET as they would be competing with the students who study in the private coaching centres.
R. Vishalakshi was of the view that the government must come up with a study to inform the students about the industries that could provide better job opportunities in the next 5 years. This would make the students to opt for different courses. She later explained about how students would pursue commerce mindlessly if the government does not inform the students about the various kinds of job opportunities. She finally hinted about the possibility of ending up into a situation n similar to what is now happening to the engineering.
