120 institutes get 3-yr nod to issue certificates for Class 10

MUMBAI: In a decision that will benefit Class 10 students opting for extracurricular activities to score bonus marks, the state education department has allowed 120 institutes to issue certificates to students for the next three years.

Earlier, the department would approve institutions that certified students for art, music, dance and other extracurricular activities annually. In a recent government resolution (GR), institutes that have already handled the task in the past have

been given affiliation till 2019. “A scrutiny committee appointed by the government has decided to continue the affiliation of the organisations that have worked on the task in the past for the next three years after their work was found satisfactory,” reads the GR.

In 2016, the state education department had introduced the provision of bonus marks for Class 10 students excelling in extracurricular activities to encourage students to pursue them. Students could score up to 25 bonus marks as per the policy.

Parents said that giving longterm affiliation to some organisations was a good step and would help save their time. “Most students panic as they don’t know where go. Having a list of organisations at their disposal would help,” said Shweta Ghaisas, a parent from Andheri.