Mumbai : When Class 10 students got their aptitude test result sheet, they were in for a surprise. Plastered on the cover of their result sheet was the photo of state education minister Vinod Tawde.
It also had a personal message from the minister. “Make in India, Skill India, Start Up India and Stand Up India are there for you. These initiatives will help you become a self-reliant, responsible and proud citizen of our nation,” reads an extract from the message printed alongside the minister’s photograph.
Over 15 lakh students from across the state appeared for the aptitude test called ‘Kal chachani programme’, which was conducted for the first time this year. The test measures students’ interest in one among five fields of commerce, health and life sciences, technical, arts/humanities and fine arts.
The photograph did not seem to go down well among the teaching fraternity with the principal of a private school saying, “I do not appreciate the photograph being put on the result sheet. They could have put the student’s photograph instead.”
Sadanand Shelgaonkar of Citizens Forum for Sanctity in Educational System, an NGO, said, “A mark sheet, as the name indicates, is meant for showcasing marks and not for any other purpose. In any case, any one individual should not take the credit for the government’s initiative in this manner.”
Tawde, however, has brushed aside the criticism terming it as ‘political’ in nature. “The UPA lacked imagination and drive to implement any such initiative in past 15 years. We have started this innovative program to test the aptitude of the students, which would be of immense help to them. But, instead of welcoming it, the opposition has chosen to criticize the move as the report contains a photograph with a message. It shows their political intent,” he said.
“The report of the aptitude test would remain with the students. They will have to submit the mark sheet, which does not have any photograph. The message on the report encourages the students and wishes them best for their career path. It would boost their morale and they would be more confident in their career ahead,” Tawde added.
A BJP worker was more assertive. “What if we want to reach out to future voters and portray an image of the leader? We are ultimately doing it for the benefit of the students and a personalized message from the education minister is encouraging,” he said.