Vacant Seats In Junior Colleges Rise To 34.92% In Pune And Pimpri-Chinchwad
Vacant Seats In Junior Colleges Rise To 34.92% In Pune And Pimpri-Chinchwad
The central admission process for Class XI has concluded, revealing a staggering 34.92% vacancy rate in junior colleges within the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal limits. According to the Department of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, out of 1,20,805 available seats, only 65.08% have been filled.
The data shows that 1,03,839 students registered online for Class XI admission, but merely 78,618 confirmed their admission. Approximately 42,187 seats remain vacant, with 15,940 students opting out of the admission process altogether. This significant vacancy rate has raised concerns among education officials.
Dr. Jyoti Parihar, Assistant Director of Education, attributed the vacancy to several factors while talking to the media. “Students prefer colleges with ‘tie-ups’ with private tutors, and those outside municipal limits with lenient attendance policies,” she explained. Additionally, there is a growing interest in diploma and ITI courses beyond Class XI.
The quota-wise admission statistics reveal a similar trend. Under the cap quota, 83,345 seats were available, with 69,218 students admitted. In-house quota saw 4,158 admissions out of 9,031 available seats. Minority and management quotas also witnessed significant vacancies, with 9,906 and 3,801 vacant seats, respectively.
Junior colleges have approved additional units, resulting in a higher number of available seats. This, combined with the growing interest in diploma and ITI courses, has contributed to the rise in vacant seats. “The number of vacancies is relatively high due to the increased availability of seats and shifting student preferences,” Dr. Parihar noted.
As the education department assesses the situation, concerns arise about the implications of vacant seats on the education sector and student choices. The department will likely review its policies to address the underlying factors contributing to this trend.
