The supplementary exam results are expected to be declared by July-end. These students would be eligible to apply for their H Sc by the beginning of August. ``As it is there is an additional rush of 2,000 students more this year in comparison to last year,'' said an official at the district education office.

He added that in order to cater to the rush, the principals of city-based schools and the district education officials were meeting on a regular basis. ``Looking to the heavy rush, the DEO is clearing additional classes for schools who agree to admit students'', he said. He added that principals had also agreed to raise the student strength per class from 66 to 70. In certain schools the DEO has also agreed to clear non-granted classes to cater to the heavy rush.

DEO V Nanavati said, ``The classes which have been sanctioned are in keeping with the number of applicants.'' He added that until now the admissions for the reserved category were being catered. ``From Monday onwards we intend to fill up the other classes with students who do not belong to the reserved category,'' said Nanavati.

Of the 900 students who had applied for the supplementary examinations, all would not be eligible to apply for science, hence there was no reason to increase the number of classes in schools, he said.