Parents fume over state's international board plans

Mumbai: The Maharashtra education ministry’s recent announcement about the possible formation of an International Board within the state has not gone down well with parents in the city, who feel such a move would create more stress for students. Parents feel that streamlining one board, as in the case of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), would make things easier, instead of dividing the curriculum or the board.

Last week, education minister Vinod Tawde said the ministry is considering introducing its own international board within the Maharashtra State Board of Higher and Secondary Education (MSBHSE) and allowing a cluster of private schools to have the liberty to decide their own individual board. However, parents feel such a system would create confusion. “The idea of NEET came into existence after experiencing the mess the students faced because of different rules and curricula in every state. Do they want to repeat the same mistake again,” asked Manju Wani, a parent.

 Parents and teacher associations are planning to meet the education minister. “We are trying to seek an appointment with Mr Tawde to tell him that new project will only bring disaster. Multiple boards in the state will need multiple examinations, which will give birth to additional trouble,” said Megha Makhwani, another parent.