Education Minister Bratya Basu has expressed optimism about launching a centralised online undergraduate admission system within the week. In a recent statement on Saturday, Basu mentioned that the official announcement could be expected by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Anticipation Builds for the New Admission Portal
“We are hopeful that the centralised undergraduate admissions portal will be launched this coming Tuesday or Wednesday. Discussions with the chief minister are in the final stages. We hope to get the green signal from her,” Basu shared with reporters during an event at the Netaji Indore stadium.
Despite the education department’s earlier announcement in March about the new admission system, a specific launch date had not been set. This has led to a delay in the admission process, as the plus-II results were published in early May.
Concerns Over Delayed Admissions
The delay in launching the centralised admission system has caused concern among government and aided colleges. Without a clear start date for the portal, the admission process has been on hold, raising anxiety among educational institutions and prospective students alike.
Several prominent colleges expressed their worries about losing potential students due to the delay. The Telegraph reported on June 14 that the heads of leading colleges were concerned about the impact on student intake and academic schedules. The principal of Asutosh College in South Calcutta highlighted the risk of students opting for private universities and colleges due to the delayed process.
Autonomous and Minority Colleges Progress Ahead
While government and aided colleges await the new portal, autonomous colleges, minority institutions, and unitary universities such as Jadavpur have nearly completed their application processes. Some have even scheduled the start of classes in the coming weeks.
The principal of Lady Brabourne College, Siuli Sarkar, remarked that launching the portal by next Tuesday or Wednesday could alleviate much of the uncertainty surrounding undergraduate admissions. “Once the portal starts receiving applications, it will take at least a couple of weeks to complete the exercise. Thereafter, the lists will be published, leading to admissions. We would like Calcutta University to fix the academic calendar in a way so the colleges get enough time to complete the syllabus before the first-semester examinations after the winter vacation. It has to be borne in mind that we are already running behind schedule,” Sarkar said.
Transition from Stand-Alone to Centralised System
Last year, the undergraduate admission process in government and aided colleges began in early June through a stand-alone mechanism. Each college carried out the admissions exercise independently after the education department postponed its centralised admissions plan due to insufficient preparation.
In the stand-alone system, students had to apply separately to each college they were interested in. The new centralised system aims to streamline this process by allowing students to apply to multiple colleges through a single portal. This change is expected to simplify the application process and reduce the influence of students’ unions on admissions.
Final Preparations Underway
The education department is in the final stages of preparing for the launch of the centralised admission portal. An official mentioned that an online meeting was held with college representatives on Saturday to discuss the final preparations. “We are now finetuning the process,” the official said.
The centralised portal is designed to improve the efficiency and transparency of the admission process. By consolidating applications through a single system, the department hopes to address the concerns of both students and colleges.
Advantages of the Centralised Admission System
The centralised admission system is expected to bring several benefits:
- Simplified Application Process: Students can apply to multiple colleges through a single portal, reducing the complexity and time involved in the application process.
- Transparency: A centralised system can enhance transparency in the admission process, ensuring that admissions are based on merit and minimizing the scope for manipulation.
- Reduced Workload: Colleges will benefit from a streamlined process, reducing administrative burdens and allowing them to focus more on academic preparations.
- Minimized Influence of Unions: The centralised system aims to curtail the intervention of student unions in the admission process, promoting a fairer and more efficient system.
Challenges and Expectations
While the new system promises numerous advantages, its success will depend on effective implementation and timely execution. Colleges and students alike are hopeful that the centralised portal will address the current uncertainties and enable a smoother transition into the new academic year.
The education community awaits the official announcement with bated breath, hoping that the launch of the portal will mark a significant improvement in the undergraduate admission process in West Bengal.
Conclusion
As the education department prepares to launch the centralised online undergraduate admission system, stakeholders across the education sector are eager for a resolution to the current delays and uncertainties. The successful implementation of this system could transform the admission process, making it more efficient, transparent, and fair.
