PANAJI: The government is likely to increase the number of divisions for the first year class for degree courses in the colleges of the state as there has been increase in the number of students clearing the HSSC examination conducted by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in 2017.
The directorate of higher education has already moved a proposal for increasing the number of divisions in the colleges, which may be granted permissions as per their requests.
The directorate of higher education has already apprised Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also holds education portfolio, about the increase in the number of students clearing the HSSC exam, sources said, adding that the government has in principle agreed to grant permission for additional divisions as request has come from higher educational institutions which receive grants-in-aid.
Over 14,600 students cleared the HSSC examination this year: 781 more students cleared the examination as compared to last year. This has been achieved as more students took the examination this year.
After the HSSC results, there has always been mad rush for admissions to various degree courses in the colleges. It is understood that this year seats for arts and science streams have already been optimised in the colleges. The government has considered giving permission for additional divisions to accommodate these students.
There are 24 colleges, including four government ones, which impart education in arts, commerce and science streams. In these colleges, there are 2040 seats in arts stream, 3720 for commerce and 1020 seats for science stream.
It must be noted here that in 2015-16, 2886 students of arts stream cleared the HSSC exam, 4443 in commerce, 4155 in science and 2401 in vocational stream.
In the 2016-17 examination, 3216 students cleared the exam in arts stream, 4545 in commerce, 4473 in science and 2432 in vocational.
