The decision taken by the Gujarat government to conduct Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) instead of GujCET has been well accepted by schools. Despite AIEEE pattern and CBSE syllabus in JEE Main (2013) exam, students and teachers have appreciated the decision.
Some are thankful that some decision has been taken instead of leaving them stranded. “True potential of our students will be judged in this common entrance test. Students nationwide will be competing with equal enthusiasm,” said Father Ferdinand Durai, principal of St Xavier’s School, Loyola Hall.
However, there are deliberations over the 85% seats reserved for students in Gujarat. “It is not clear whether the reservation is for students studying in Gujarat state board or students with domicile certificate,” said Kirit Joshi, principal of Diwan Ballubhai School.
On the CBSE syllabus and AIEEE pattern being considered, Devansh Agrawal, class XII student of the school in Gujarat Infocity said, “Syllabus of state board has been revised and is almost similar to CBSE syllabus.” He added that the present batch may face some problems.
However, he felt, GujCET was an exam for average students not testing the competitive spirit.
In addition, there is a 50:50 ratio of class XII board exam and JEE Main marks being considered to decide the final merit list for admissions in engineering and pharmacy courses. On this, Raja Pathak, director of Satwa Vikas School said, now students will give importance to class XII board exams also which were earlier being neglected. Also, just one entrance exam will reduce stress among students.
Meanwhile, Hitendra Trivedi, principal of CN Vidyalaya said, “With objective type exam, understanding of concepts will be judged. Students will have to work more with CBSE syllabus being considered.”
Nevertheless, Archit Bhatt, managing trustee of Tripada group of Schools said the move will go against the students. It is not right to enforce such decisions. Conducting an exam with CBSE syllabus for state board students is not right.
“The exam in Gujarati, Hindi and English will give students a comfort level as language of the exam was a concern till now,” said Saroj Khubchandani, principal of HB Kapadia School.
