Chennai: A day after Neet, parents, social activists and educationists expressed their anguish over the stringent dress code and how boys and girls were subjected to various checks and hardships before the examination.
Though the majority of state board students are expecting average and below average marks in the exams, the dress code issue was hotly debated across the state. A centre in Kerala went ahead and asked a girl student to remove her innerwear which had metal hooks.
Educationists, social activists and parents spoke to Deccan Chronicle on this rather bizarre dress code followed by CBSE for the examination. Pachiappan, a parent from Chennai, said students got confused and tensed even before entering into exam halls.
“The officials from each school were saying different rules. After going through the checks their anxiety increased and it affected their performance as well,” he said.
He also drew attention to the poor treatment meted out to parents at schools.
“The CBSE should send a circular to all students about the creating a waiting area for parents. During peak summer in many places, the parents were searching for a shade. Without any basic facilities including water and toilets, parents experienced a tough time,” he said.
Srinivasan, another parent also from Chennai, echoed his views. “The checks and strict imposition of dress code have affected students’ morale just before the exam,” he said.
Writer and Tamil poet Manushyaputhiran condemned the stringent dress code and the checking of young students.
“The disturbing checks and rules for Neet showed that we do not have any understanding of civil rights. We are having a state which has the least concern for the individual dignity and personal honour,” he said.
“The officials can say that they cannot write exams if they won’t follow the rules. But removing inner wear and cutting sleeves are uncalled for,” he said.
He also said the nationwide exam for medical courses is absurd. “The medical care will vary depending upon the regions. It has the link with the regional factors.”
Senior Educationist S.S. Rajagopalan said the Neet exam was a fine example of how not to conduct the examination for adolescent students. “There are adequate invigilators to check whether students indulge in malpractice or not. Why should they have this kind of screening I don’t understand,” he said. He further said, “The type of questions in Neet does not allow any scope for copying.
They are all application-oriented questions. Students cannot get answers from anything in a moment. It is totally idiotic.” “They should have banned all coaching centres. It was advantage for students enrolled in coaching centres,” he noted.
‘Sleeves were cut as alternative measure’
A CBSE school principal said the dress code was imposed because of the earlier problems faced by the board.
“CBSE also has given clear instructions to the students prior to the exam about the do’s and don’ts. The full sleeves of the students were cut as alternative measure only,” he said.
“There are views from parents that everybody is not criminal. But, when conducting the medical entrance it is better to be cautious. Students following the instructions should have avoided the metal buttons, clip and hairpins. We do not have time to check if all these are spy cameras or instruments,” he reasoned.
