Early exams, early results but delayed FYJC admissions disrupt academic schedule

Pune: First Year Junior College (FYJC, Std XI) students are anxious about the delayed start to their academic year, as the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) committee is yet to announce college classes.

Traditionally, students begin attending lectures by the first or second week of July. However, the current delay has disrupted the entire academic schedule, leaving thousands worried about syllabus completion.

Science students are particularly concerned, as they require adequate time to balance practicals and theory sessions, which need careful planning and period allocation.

Arts and commerce students also fear that the rushed timeline will force them to complete the syllabus hastily at the end of the year, affecting their understanding and overall performance.

Many parents and teachers have urged authorities to expedite the admission process to ensure students do not suffer academic setbacks.

Educator Sandip Mohite from a city-based college said that the online system introduced by govt across the state has resulted in the delay in the entire process and hence the opening of the new academic year too.

"The planning should have been better so that students don't have to wait to plan their days ahead. The opening of classes should not go beyond July. Next year, govt will spend time correcting these delays instead of focusing on imparting quality education," he said.

Mahesh Palkar, director of secondary and higher secondary education, said the online system for the entire state instead of a few cities has brought about transparency in admissions.

"This is the first year of online admissions, and hence, there were a few technical glitches. However, the system is on track now. We have told colleges that have filled 50% seats in the first round to begin classes. Once the second round list is announced and admissions are confirmed, some colleges will surely be able to begin the academic year," he added.

Shravani Date, a science stream aspirant from Karvenagar, said, "The wait is frustrating. For the first time in many years, our exams were conducted 10 days early, and so the results were announced well before the usual date. So, we thought that the admission process would also be completed well in time, but we are not even on schedule as per every year."

Kamlesh Raje, commerce stream aspirant Atharva's parent, said, "These actions from the education department encourage mushrooming of private coaching classes. Govt's poor planning and lack of coordination cost the student and parent community dearly every year. Instead of waiting for the department's schedule, children are taking private coaching and ensuring that their preparations are not affected."