CU axes environment science

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, June 5, 2007

Confusion is the word dominating the admission process of all colleges under Calcutta University (CU). CU has issued an order on June 4, directing all colleges not to include environment studies as one of the ‘best of five’ subjects while calculating the aggregate of students seeking admission in under graduate courses. However, many colleges like Presidency, St. Xavier’s, Loreto, Lady Brabourne and Scottish Church has already issued forms before this directive.
The university in its last circular, dated March 29 had asked colleges to admit students by calculating aggregate of best of five subjects. “Since the circular did not mention that environmental studies cannot be included as one of the subjects while calculating best of five we have already accepted forms where students have calculated their aggregate by including this subject. The Higher Secondary Council mark sheet awarded both grade and marks for environmental science,” said Mamata Ray, principal of Presidency College.
Scottish Church College too is facing hurdles over environmental studies. “We already have built a software which allows environmental studies as one of the best of five subjects. Many students have already submitted the forms online and at least for this year, it will be difficult for us to bring a change now,” said J Abharam, principal of the college.
However, according to Shyamal Sarkar, secretary of CU’s under graduate council all colleges will have to follow the circular. “If any college had included the marks of environmental studies in the aggregate, they will have to rectify it. It is not a big problem, since the colleges have not admitted any students yet,” said Sarkar.
The registrar of CU, Samir Bandhyopadhyay, however suggested that the university would take a final decision on Wednesday. “I feel justice will not be done if a section of students are allowed to include environmental studies marks in the aggregate. The final decision will be taken by the Vice Chancellor,” he said.
While most of the colleges started giving the forms online from June 1, St. Xavier’s’ and Loreto has been issuing forms for the last three weeks. St Xavier’s admissions start from Wednesday. “The university should have issued the circular earlier, now it is too late. This is creating confusion among students,” said Father P. C. Mathew, Principal of the College.
While CBSE did not have environmental studies as one of the subjects, students ISC and HS have scored highly in it. “All my students have scored above 70 in environmental studies. This is helping them to boost their aggregate. CU and Higher Education Council should have given this directive much earlier,” said Rupak Homeroy, principal of Ballygaunge Government High School. Agrees Father Mathew of St. Xavier’s’ College, “In any case this year the Higher Secondary Board students have not been able to get high marks but have scored very well in Environmental Studies, it is helping them to boost their aggregate.”
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