The cut-off of 100 per cent for its undergraduate commerce course set by one of the leading colleges of Delhi University, the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), prompted Union minister for human resource
development, Kapil Sibal, to say that it’s a “completely irrational way of looking at education” and that the government would intervene in the matter.
Speaking to reporters in the capital on Wednesday, Mr Sibal said that he was extremely saddened when he learnt about the cut-off set by SRCC. He further said to parents and students: “We will take care of this irrationality. We are on your side.”
The minister further said: “I am informed by the Delhi University vice-chancellor that there is only one student in the entire list who has got 100 per cent marks in science. He may never go to commerce. The idea is to exclude everybody in the science stream and not to allow them an opportunity. This is completely irrational.”
The 100 per cent cut-off even drew the attention of J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah who tweeted: “If 100 per cent is the minimum requirement to be considered for admission, are there kids coming with more than 100 out of 100?”
And it prompted CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury to remark: “Even if Shakespeare were to come back and give an English exam today, he will not score 100 per cent.” He added, “It’s actually bizarre. Something is very fundamentally wrong with our education system.”
While the decision by the SRCC staff council to set such a high cut-off drew criticism from parents and students too, college principal P.C. Jain defended the move.
According to agency reports, Mr Jain said: “This is a screening process. We have to take some students out of thousands of students. The criteria has been developed keeping in view who can give the best input to the college.” He further maintained that the criteria adopted by the college was a “transparent” one.
Delhi University vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh, who was also present with the minister, tried to sound a reassuring note for admission-seekers to DU this year saying that four more cut-off lists will be coming out. He further said that the cut-offs will come down significantly in the subsequent lists.
At the same time, Mr Singh said that in a scenario where college staff councils decide cut-offs for admission, the university cannot intervene. For the university to be able to do so, he said, its statutes would need to be looked at and reforms introduced.