Chennai: A sudden decision of the Medical Council of India, which reversed its earlier position and has decided not to allow students of open schools to take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has left hundreds of students, who are studying under National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board in Tamil Nadu, upset.
Citing that open school boards don't include practicals in science subjects, the MCI has taken the decision to ban all the students including from Nati
onal Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) from appearing for the common medical entrance test.
In Tamil Nadu alone, 1,125 students are pursuing class 12 through NIOS. Many students have joined the NIOS as NIOS board was approved by MCI. M. Muthuraman, a charted accountant from Coimbatore said, “The prospectus of NIOS has MCI’s letter which stated that those students clearing NIOS class 12 exams are eligible for NEET. After joining the course and studying for two years, the MCI has now reversed its decision which is wrong.”
His daughter Anju after studying the commerce group in plus two wanted to go for medicine and she joined NIOS after enquiring with the officials. “If the students knew they could not write NEET, they wouldn’t have wasted two years.
They should allow the students to write exams. If they are not talented, they will not be able to clear the exams,” he added. Another student who is pursuing NEET coaching said the decision shocked him. “We were assured as the NIOS board was approved by MCI. But the sudden decision of the council robbed us an opportunity,” he said.
In some schools in Chennai, students have taken the option of pursuing class 11 and 12 under NIOS syllabus as it gives more academic freedom to the students. “We have about 25 students and 2 students are preparing for NEET. This decision is not well conceived one,” said S. Bhavani Shankar, senior principal, Lalaji Memorial Omega International School, Chennai.
“There is a feeling that NIOS, like other open schools, has no provision to provide practical exposure for students in biology subject. However, all NIOS centres are attached with the schools and we offer all practical facilities to the students," he said adding that his school offers NIOS syllabus along with CBSE Cambridge Syllabus and International Baccalaureate syllabus. He also felt the MCI should have discussed it elaborately with the schools before taking the decision. “The decision has not been taken at the right time,” he said.
The number of admissions in NIOS has increased from 2,200 to 3,500 this year in the state. “It’s a very hasty decision and it reflects the lack of understanding.
They should have made an attempt to study at least the case of NIOS board which is functioning under MHRD,” said P. Ravi, regional director, NIOS, Chennai. Last year out of 2,710 students who appeared for NEET from NIOS, over 864 students got qualified in the exam. He also pointed out that NIOS students are being allowed to write entrance exams like JEE (main), JEE (advanced) and NATA.
