Plus-I Seat Shortage Sparks Crisis in Malabar, Agitation Intensifies

Student outfits announce plans to escalate protests if govt fails to address problem swiftly

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kozhikode

Despite the state government's decision to increase Plus-I seats by 30% in 11 districts, including Malappuram and Kozhikode, shortage of seats continues in Malabar. The move, aimed at addressing the growing demand, has failed to bridge the widening gap between availability and need.

Thousands of students are left without a clear path to higher secondary education due to the lack of batches in certain streams, mainly Computer Science. In Malappuram alone, 81,150 seats (including VHSE) have been made available, but 79,272 students have already passed the SSLC exam, and this figure does not include CBSE students and applicants from neighboring districts.

Kozhikode faces a similar crisis, with 43,697 students qualifying for Plus-I, but seat crunch looms large. With admissions from other boards and regions increasing the competition, a significant portion of students are unable to secure admission to their preferred course or school.