The huge demand for science seats has resulted in the education department increasing around 1,300 science seats this year for Class 11 in the city. Considering the likely addition of another 600 seats for the bifocal course, which is also part of science stream, a total of around 2,000 more science seats will now be up for grabs. But the catch is that all these seats are unaided and colleges are struggling to find the teachers to balance the additional seats.

As the demand for the science stream was very high this year, the education department had no option but to increase seats. For 17,270 seats, the number of applicants was around 24,000 in the city this year.

“We have given one division each to 16 colleges in the city,” said G K Mhamane, deputy director, education department. Each division comprises 80 students, making the total 1,280.

With the additional divisions unaided, the college management will decide the fees after consultation with parents.

Many colleges complained of a severe staff crunch. “Fees are not the problem. The question is how to manage the staff to teach the additional students,” said the vice-principal of a reputable college in the city.

Mhamane, however, clarified that colleges were allowed to recruit more staff for the additional intake.

Mhamane also said that the divisions were increased after consultations with the authorities of the colleges. Some college authorities differed, though. “There were students with more than 80 per cent marks and the education department asked us to admit these students,” said M A Pendse, principal, S P College. “Infrastructure is a problem as there are not enough classrooms. But we have somehow adjusted this year,” he added.

“As there were more applicants than we could accommodate in the science stream, we had no option but to increase seats,” Mhamane reiterated. He said the problem would be less severe from next year as 65 high schools in the Pune districts have been given permission to start junior colleges. “With the rise in junior colleges, science seats will automatically increase,” he said.

The 600 seats for bifocal courses are also likely to be introduced now. “Many colleges have demanded an increase in seats as there is a huge demand from students,” said D C Newase, district professional education and training deputy officer.