Kurnool: Students who have completed the SSC or Intermediate equivalent courses are unable to submit their applications for the forthcoming AP Lawcet-2023 entrance examination.
Those who completed the Class X examination through AP Open School Society and Polytechnic courses, rather than via the regular stream like SSC and Intermediate, are facing a problem with the guidelines designed by the AP State Council for Higher Education (APSCHE). The website is failing to accept applications for the entrance examination.
Students are deeply upset that the problem remained un-rectified for many years due to bureaucratic lethargy. The APSCHE took no step to set things right. As a result, one will not know the complete eligibility criteria unless they pay fees for the entrance examination.
Notably, Acharya Nagarjuna University released the notification for admissions to regular LLB courses (3 and 5 years) and LLM course (2 years) for the academic year 2023-2024 on March 23 this year. The candidates can submit their applications till April 22 without late fee.
The last date for applications is May 6 with a late fee of Rs 2,000. Applicants cannot enter the site for submitting the application without paying the specified fees. The qualification for the three-year LLB course is any degree in 10+2+3 pattern of a recognized university with 45 per cent aggregate marks.
If any candidate secures less than 45 per cent at graduation level, they should have passed an additional graduate or postgraduate degree with 45 per cent marks.
A similar problem haunts students who prefer the five-year LLB course if they completed the open school course. In fact, many students who have pursued courses in open school mode through AP Open School Society of the AP Government and completed the three-year diploma courses from the government/private polytechnics and subsequently pursued the degree courses are now not eligible to apply for these courses.
Students ask why the APSCHE is focusing on payment of the fee rather than first giving clarity on the eligibility criteria. They ask why all these certificates such as the Class X certificate under the open school system and why the 3-year diploma course certificate from the technical education wing is not valid. Students who studied diploma courses and later completed their graduation courses find that they are “not eligible” now.
“This is a ridiculous guideline. Candidates with certificates from the AP Open School System and Polytechnics cannot submit applications on the website. This is denying them the right to education which is a violation of a fundamental Constitutional provision,” said Sai Krishna Reddy, state executive member of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
As per the website, the applicants who have obtained 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 years are eligible for submitting applications. Further, they have to provide the details of results of the Class 9th, 10, intermediate first and second years. But AP Open School students cannot comply with the guideline since they directly appear for the Class X examination even though they are having no basic qualification.
Polytechnic diploma holders complete the course in 3 years and do the degree course for two years or B.Tech courses for three years as they already underwent the diploma course for three years.
“All these courses are recognised by the government. Why is APSCHE not recognising them? We have been requesting the varsity on the helpline to consider our applications. If the decision is delayed, we must pay the late fee,” said K Praveen from Kurnool city.
A helpline employee from the ANU said that they would convene a special meeting and take a decision whether to allow applications or to refund the fee collected from the candidates. Students remembered that they faced similar problems in recent years too.
