Chennai: With class 12 board exams in the state about to end this week, the question whether the state will get an exemption from Neet (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) continues to prevail, causing considerable concern among parents and students.
The state’s act exempting students from Neet is awaiting President’s assent for nearly two months. The class 12 board exams are getting over by March 31.
The confusion has put parents under the severe stress as they are not able to get admission to coaching centres at the last minute.
“Rural students are finding it difficult to join coaching centres for Neet. Some coaching centres in the cities are quoting exorbitant amount for even the one-month crash course,” said a parent from Villupuram. He demanded exemption from Neet as poor students cannot afford coaching in metro cities.
Another parent from Chennai termed the confusion surrounding Neet unfortunate. “We should have known it much earlier whether our students will get exemption or not. If they were forced to write the exam at the last minute it will not help their preparation,” he said.
“Many students have not applied to Neet due to the state government’s act this year. Other students also not prepared for the exam. Till the higher secondary syllabus is updated in the state, the central government should exempt the state from Neet,” said Sami. Sathiamoorthy, state president, Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary Schools’ Headmasters Association.
“The Central government’s silence is killing the spirit of students. It will amount to denying the rights to higher education,” said P.B. Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System.
“The state has passed the Act following the constitutional provision. On the contrary, if the President’s assent is not given, the Central legislature is encroaching upon the state legislature,” he said.
“While the state government is making all efforts to protect the students, MBBS aspirants should also be aware of the present legal position and be prepared to write Neet in case the Union Government does not expedite the presidential assent or objects to it as a policy,” an official said.
