Online Class 11 Admissions A Major Game Changer: Pankaj Bhoyar
2
A national-level handball player turned academician, Pankaj Bhoyar holds a PhD in econometrics from Nagpur University, a field that applies statistical models to analyse economic data.
With a BSc in Mathematics and an MA in Economics, Bhoyar entered politics after years of student leadership and social service, winning his first assembly election in 2019.
Bhoyar now handles multiple portfolios, including school education, home (rural), housing, cooperation, and mining. In an exclusive interview with TOI, Bhoyar discusses Maharashtra's upcoming 'CM Shri Schools' project, Class 11 online admissions, rural school upgrades, and the ongoing Shalarth ID scam probe.
Q. What steps are being taken to upgrade infra and academic quality in rural schools?
A. Very soon Maharashtra will be launching a scheme called 'CM Shri Schools', modelled around 'PM Shri Schools'. We will select one govt school in every taluka for complete infrastructure and academic upgrades. These schools will have smart classrooms, science labs, activity zones, green initiatives, and focus on experiential learning and skill-building.
Our aim is that students in rural areas get access to facilities and learning methods at par with urban schools.
Q. Maharashtra has shifted to fully online Class 11 admissions this year. What is the impact?
A. The online Class 11 admissions have become a major game changer. Now, a student from Bhamragadh can secure admission to a top Mumbai college without ever having to leave the village. It's a major reform. Earlier, Class 11 admissions required students to visit colleges physically or buy costly prospectuses.
Now, for a one-time fee of Rs100, students can apply to any college across Maharashtra through a single online portal.
Whether from Mumbai or Gadchiroli, everyone gets equal opportunity. This has made the process simple, affordable, and fair.
Q. Has transparency improved due to this shift?
A. Definitely. For the first time, we have state-wide, real-time data on college capacities, course preferences, and admission trends.
The online system has made the entire process merit-based and transparent. Parents from remote areas can see their child's merit rank and feel proud when they secure admissions in top colleges.
Q. 300 colleges reportedly got no admission in the first round. Many suspect it could be a scam.
A. Since the matter is in the high court, I won't comment too much apart from what I already said in the legislature. It's true that some colleges got zero admission in the first round.
After all rounds conclude, we'll analyse the situation and take the necessary steps.
Q. What steps are being taken to upskill teachers in govt schools?
A. We're focusing on upgrading physical infrastructure and digital resources in rural schools. Teacher training is also critical. Recently, we sent 100 teachers to Singapore for modern training. These then become master trainers for others and that improves the entire ecosystem.
We believe that investing in teachers directly benefits students.
Q. What's the update on the Shalarth ID scam?
A. A state-level SIT will be formed, including senior IAS and IPS officers, to investigate the scam across Maharashtra. Currently, only Nagpur-specific SIT is probing the scam. Once the state-level team begins work, the entire scam will be investigated thoroughly. The govt is serious about taking action wherever wrongdoing is found.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Mohammadpur is now Bajrangpur
Khargone: Mohammadpur village in Gogawa area of Khargone district has been renamed as Bajrangpur. Secretary Rajesh Kumar Kaul has issued an order in the name of Governor informing that Mohammadpur village in Khargone district will now be known as Bajrangpur. A notification in this regard was also published. Lok Sabha member from Khargone-Barwani Gajendra Patel told TOI, "During Mughal era, name of Ratanpur was changed to Mohammadpur. There has been a long-standing demand from people to rename the village. Efforts started in this direction in 2022 when the gram panchayat sent a proposal to state govt." During the recent visit of cheif minister Mohan Yadav, Patel raised the demand again.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Sawant cabinet gives nod for creation of Goa's third district
Panaji: The state cabinet on Friday granted approval for the creation of a third district consisting of four talukas –– Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona. The headquarters of the proposed district is proposed to be set up at Curchorem in Quepem taluka. TOI was the first to report that govt will create a new district for administrative purposes. The new district is expected to bring about enhanced service delivery, increased community engagement, economic growth, and a stronger foundation for sustainable development, govt said. The proposed district consists of a significant component of people belonging to the tribal community. Around 28% of the total population in the proposed district is Scheduled Tribes. The unique needs and challenges of the tribal community can be fulfilled by the creation of this district, which is poised to deliver targeted solutions and streamlined administration. The aim behind the creation of the new district is improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens and service delivery in the remotest and less developed blocks of Goa. Further, addressing regional disparities by targeting specific blocks or local administrative regions and enhancing them through focused development interventions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Learn More Undo Govt said the creation of the new district, which is majorly inhabited by the tribal population, will also facilitate the setting up of new hospitals, educational institutes, sports complexes and museums from the central funds. 'By looking at the performance of the socio-economic indicators of the areas contained in the limits of the newly proposed district, it will fall under the Aspirational District Programme, and it will attract huge central funds in key sectors,' govt said. Goa was divided into two revenue districts in Aug 1987, namely North Goa and South Goa, with their headquarters at Panaji and Margao, respectively. As per the 2011 Census, Goa has a population of 1,458,545, and the decadal growth of the state's population stood at 8.23% in 2011. In view of the increasing population and the need for overall development, state govt had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to examine the proposal of creating a third district in the state. The committee was mandated to assess the need for the creation of a third district in Goa and to assess whether this will lead to the development and welfare of the people in general and backward talukas in particular.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Security forces in Bastar eyeing on PLGA platoon no. 1, the new elite protection unit for secret transit of senior Maoist commanders in Abujhmarh
RAIPUR: Security forces in Chhattisgarh have uncovered a new layer of the Maoist insurgency network which is a specialized platoon unit, created to provide secure transit for top Maoist commanders between districts and even across state borders. Now, they are on target of security forces. Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj told TOI, 'The existence and function of this covert platoon, previously under the radar, came to light following a fierce encounter in the deep forests of Abujhmarh on July 18, in which six Maoists were gunned down, including DVCM Rahul Punem who was commander of the unit. This unit, known as PLGA platoon number 1, has emerged as a key operational link, ensuring the safe movement of Maoist leadership between core areas in Chhattisgarh and neighboring Odisha.' This elite and highly trained group, known as a 'covering party', serve as a heavily armed shield during covert movement of Politburo and Central Committee members of the banned outfit through the dense forests of Bastar and neighbouring states. IG Sundarraj said, 'PLGA platoon number 01 of the banned CPI (Maoist) was constituted in March 2024 as a strategic off-shoot of the larger Maoist insurgency structure. It operated under the command of DVCM Rahul Punem, whose body was recovered from Pariyadi-Kakur jungles of Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district, on July 18 after a high-intensity exchange of fire.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The platoon's primary objective was to launch guerrilla attacks on security forces across the Marh division and the unit actively supported LOS (Local Organisation Squad) in maintaining a supply corridor between Marh and North Bastar, and securing operational zones like Sonpur–Maroda, often through ambushes, IED planting, and reconnaissance missions. IG Sundarraj added, 'This platoon recently neutralized, was only 15 months old and included handpicked armed cadres from multiple Maoist formations, and was brought together specifically to protect senior leaders during transit. Meanwhile, PLGA company number 7 provides close protection to senior Maoist figures. Evidence of this was seen during the top Maoist Basavaraju's encounter on May 21, where nearly two dozen cadres of company number 7 were found dead in the Abujhmarh forests.' The July 18 encounter, he said, marked the first confirmed strike against this transit security unit after more than a year of surveillance and intelligence tracking. While six of them were killed, there's high possibility of several such units in existence and intel inputs would be required to track their locations. Strategic Setback to Maoist Security Network The neutralization of the PLGA platoon number 1 is a severe blow to the Maoist leadership network, as it cripples their ability to safely move commanders across the Red Corridor, a CRPF official in the region said. This was not an ordinary foot soldier unit, its members were trained guerrillas tasked with protecting leaders like Basavaraju and Sonu. With the disruption of this elite platoon, security agencies believe the Maoist insurgency is steadily losing ground in its own territory. As security forces adapt their strategies to target such elite protection units, it is expected that leadership mobility within the CPI (Maoist) will be severely restricted, leaving senior commanders more exposed than ever before.
