FYJC admissions: Students suffer as guidance centres fail miserably

MUMBAI : A student from Malad travelled Charni Road at least once every week during First Year Junior College (FYJC) admission rounds because the help desk at a local college could not answer his queries about the admission form.

The student had filled his form at one of the government-designated guidance centres in his locality.

He was seeking admission at a commerce college in Mumbai. With a score of 40%, the student was unable to get a college of his choice in the first five rounds.

Anxious about his future, he rushed to the guidance centre for assistance. After a couple of visits, an official at the centre reportedly asked him to get his doubts cleared at the office of the deputy directorate of education, Charni Road.

After making a couple of trips to the office, he managed to secure a seat.

Throughout the admission season, hundreds of students have been queuing outside the deputy directorate to get answers for admissions-related queries.

Although the education department set up 34 guidance centres across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), students from the suburbs often travel to Charni Road.

Most students complained that guidance centres have no updates on the admissions process.

A Bhandup student, who initially took admission in science stream and then decided to opt for commerce, faced difficulties. While the college issued her a cancellation slip, the status of her admission was not updated on the admissions portal. Eventually, even she rushed to Charni Road.

“I came this far only to be told that my cancellation would happen as soon as the link opens,” she said the student.

Parents said most guidance centres refused to entertain queries after a first few merit lists were announced.

“For everything, we were asked to go to Charni Road. What kind of training have they received?” said one of the parents.

An official from state education department said parents can write to them if there are issues with the guidance centres.

For everything, we were asked to visit the Charni Road office of the deputy director of education. What kind of training have they [guidance centres] received? A PARENT