Maharashtra school education dept weighs plan to hike FYJC quota for girls to 50%

Mumbai: In the coming academic year, first-year junior college (FYJC) classrooms across the state may see a 50-50 allocation, with girls taking up half the seats. The Maharashtra school education department is considering a proposal to increase their existing quota in FYJC from 30% to 50% to improve access for girl students and encourage continuation in education early on.In another significant change in the upcoming admission process, the in-house quota in junior colleges may no longer be capped at 10%. Students from schools attached to junior colleges are likely to be given first preference in admissions, enabling a smoother progression, like in the case in CBSE and ISC schools.Both proposals are currently under consideration at minister Dada Bhuse's office. While the removal of cap in in-house quota is likely to be implemented, implications of an increase in reservation for girls will have to be studied.A govt official said there have been demands from the parents in the past seeking a 50% reservation for girls in FYJC. "In many colleges, they probably make up for more than half the total number of students already. When women get 50% representation in local self-govt bodies, then they could be given equal representation in institutions. The idea is to incentivise higher secondary education for them," said an official. Last year, of the total 13.5 lakh students admitted to junior colleges in the state in the online process, 48% were girls. Since the total number of seats (22 lakh) is anyway on the higher side, the impact will have to be studied, he said. The official said the policy, if implemented, will ensure girls do not drop out for not getting a seat in colleges closer to their homes. "We wish to make higher secondary education as accessible as possible for them,"he said."Girls already make up for over 50% students in some urban colleges as they outperform boys. This may probably help students from rural areas," said a Mumbai college principal whose FYJC batches have 50-60% girls. Another principal said some junior colleges with integrated coaching for IITs may see an impact.For in-house quota, natural progression may be allowed to students. "Students from schools attached to junior colleges or run by the same management may directly take admission in the ‘zero round', regardless of cutoffs. It will be an additional option for them. The department plans to not restrict it at 10%. For this, colleges and schools run by the same managements can be in the same building, same complex or even the same district. For institutions in Mumbai, this could extend to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region," said the official.A college principal said this could impact top colleges where the management also runs schools. "It may reduce seats available for meritorious students from outside."
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