17 - Centre’s plan to replace JEE, AIEEE raises eyebrows - Daily Pioneer

http://dailypioneer.com/nation/42978-centres-plan-to-replace-jee-aieee-raises-eyebrows.html

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 23:16

PNS | New Delhi

HRD Ministry's proposed move to conduct the Indian Science Engineering Eligibility Test (ISEET) from 2013, as a successor to the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE) has stirred up apprehensions amongst the experts and certain State Governments.

However, all eyes are on the forthcoming conference of State Education Ministers which is likely to take place on February 22.

While the Government may be sold on the idea of a common entrance test in 2013 for admissions to at least centrally-funded science and engineering institutions across the country, experts were critical of the doing away with the famed JEE. "JEE had an identity of its own. One that gave IIT's the exclusivity that they command today. A student preparing for JEE prepared for the test with the sole purpose of entering IIT and not a regional engineering college," an expert said.

The respective State boards have different syllabi, marking systems etc and giving 40 per cent weightage to class 12 examination in the common entrance test, in this situation would be like stirring a hornet's nest, the experts noted.
Further, school boards like CBSE, ICSE are easier to score as compared to State boards. This is unfair to students appearing for State boards that award lower marks than the national boards, they felt.

Experts also were of the opinion that a single examination would actually increase the pressure since students would then be unable to bank upon other examinations as a backup to save a year.

Meanwhile sources in HRD Ministry pointed at yet another hurdle-that of taking the State Governments on board with the proposal.

Tamil Nadu, for instance, is likely to oppose the proposal to introduce the Indian Science-Engineering Eligibility Test (ISEET) at the conference. This is on similar lines of the State's earlier opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for MBBS courses, the sources felt. They are arguing that such a move would be detrimental to the interests of students from rural parts of the State.

The States will however be persuaded to deliberate on the issue in the meeting, and take a view on the implementation of the recommendations of the Ramasami Committee, sources added.

The committee headed by T Ramasami, secretary, Department of Science and Technology, set up by HRD Ministry had favoured introducing ISEET in two parts - Main and Advanced in April or May next year. As per the proposal, examinations will be of three hour duration each and both will be held on the same day, sources said.

From:  Ram Krishnaswamy
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 1:11 PM

Interesting it raises only eye brows. Should raise peoples blood pressures.

Ramasamies who come out with such recommendations are people who failed to succeed in IIT JEE. What would they know ?

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From: Somnath Bharti
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 2:18 PM

Yesterday, there was a candle light protest march at IITD campus against the Sibal’s move. Tomorrow, we will be meeting the minister voicing our concerns. I invite students, faculty members and alumni from all IITs to join in the meeting tomorrow at Sibal’s residence between 9-10 AM.

Regards,
Somnath Bharti, Advocate
Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court
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dear somnath
wd you like these concerns be also raised from other locations as well..
rgds
nirmal
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From: Ramachandran Balakrishna IITM 

Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:26:04 -0500

I find it hilarious that some state boards are arguing their local exams are harder than those by CBSE and ICSE. During my time (mid 1990s), the state exams at least in Tamilnadu would reproduce the exact math problems found in their textbooks; even the numbers would be the same.

The state engineering college exams would also mooch off the same problems. When I wrote the Anna University Biotech exam, the entire math paper was multiple choice... with no extra sheets of paper to even attempt to work out the answers to partial differential equations and the like. And the guy sitting next to me was trying to copy my selections, even though he got a different question paper code (random re-ordering of questions)!

But to show the other side of the coin, a guy in my CBSE batch failed to count 2 as a prime number in a probability question in the XII board exam. He got 100%.

Regarding the scale differences across states: BITS Pilani has been normalizing various state board scores for decades. Why is this a concern all of a sudden?

-rama

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From: Selvaraj Israel-IITM
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:55:43 +0530

It is best that the IITs keep their examinations under their own control. IITs can if they wish to, decide that only 40% weightage will be given to JEE and 60% to class 12 results. If they wish, they can do away with JEE and depend on class 12 results. They can if they wish to, revert back to JEE. The point is, they should take the decision, not someone else.

The IITs must decide what is best for the nation and act in the national interest. As a premier institution they must have full autonomy to do so.

Selvaraj

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From: Chandra Jain
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:09:03 +0530

Dear Somnath,

This has come too suddenly & without any foreword/preface/warning.

I hope we have done the required preparation & have the mandate to present the case forcefully.
I believe in the cause & look at it as a last-ditch effort for a worthy cause - to save the last vistage of integrity & respectability that any institution in this country can command & is beyond manipulation by vested interests.

Anyway, I will join you tomorrow morning at Sibal's residence since you already seem to have an appointment fixed.
--
Chandra k Jain
India _____________________________
From: Sachin Mittal
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:49:45 +0530

As long as government funds IITs, pays for professors salary, there should not be full autonomy.

Exam should definitely move out of clutches of IIT be a national level test where every engineering college in India can accept the scores.

Now what % of weightage is attached to that central test score, to 12 board, 10th board, extra curricular activities etc etc. (with obviously having some uniformity and normalization) should depend upon a collective and consensus decision.

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