Since the implementation of the National Eligibility Entrance Test in 2017, the Government of Tamilnadu has been opposing it for various reasons. Though the state has the highest number of medical colleges in the country and an impressive doctor: population ratio, it is against the idea of a nationwide competitive exam.
All this points to an assumption that the infrastructure in the state was developed by the state government for their people and who are in no heed to share it with the entire country but there is much more than that.
The following keynotes have been a part of the discussion forum time and again:
The syllabus for the NEET exam is based on CBSE with objective-type questions from biology, physics and chemistry.
The majority of the students in the state undergo school education under the State board syllabus thereby pushing them to prepare for the exam externally through coaching centres.
The exam pattern by itself is not holistic as it assesses only the subject knowledge through multiple-choice questions. The writing skills and earnestness towards the career choice are never known. Subject expertise alone cannot be the only eligibility criteria to pursue a medical career.
The NEET exam allows multiple attempts before one can get qualified. Affordability both in terms of time and finance for the coaching is not a choice that most students from rural or poor socioeconomic backgrounds can make.
Having medical students from other states will affect the primary Healthcare network majorly formed by MBBS doctors in the state in a long run.
In a discussion with a chemistry teacher, who has been guiding students for the past 10 years in the suburbs of Chennai, a question of, 'Are the state-board students capable enough to compete in this exam?' was posed. She without a second thought said, " There is a general thought that undergoing coaching can provide better chances of cracking the exam.
School education has now taken a backseat as most students now concentrate on their coaching classes as they are pushed to endure both simultaneously. But there is no doubt about the student's capabilities of qualifying.
An interesting observation was made by Dr. Sachin from Dharmapuri, whose brother is also an MBBS student now. Both the siblings have had their undergraduate education from reputed Government medical colleges in Chennai. The elder qualified during the times of state board exams and the younger qualified the competitive NEET exam.
In answer to the changes that he noticed between both these periods he states, " When NEET was introduced, I felt that it will standardize the entry into medical courses through MCQ pattern. The students will have a basic idea of medicine through biology learnt while preparing for NEET unlike finding everything new during the state-board exam days. But with time, the number of students from Government schools qualifying the exam reduced drastically leading to a separate reservation bill for them. The coaching institutions have also become business-oriented and are far off from the reach of these students. I also feel that the state is not against NEET forever but needs time to update the syllabus and preparation patterns for the same. If there is a common exam, there has to be a common chance too."
Now that the restrictions of the pandemic are revoked, many parents are tired, devoting a large amount of time in shuttling their children between school and tuition.
One such parent states, " In the name of foundation, these courses start as early as when the kid is in 6th grade, taking most of their free time. These exams are more about rote learning than gaining knowledge. My children are completely drained by the time they reach home but it doesn't end there as they always have homework from school and have to prepare for tests in the coaching the next day. If only things were a little easy, that they could enjoy a little of their school days while also realizing their dreams".
It is now left to the educationists to enhance the merits of the common entrance exam and implement swift measures in revamping the state board syllabus on par with the country standards. The Government can also have policies to hold service bonds with passing out MBBS doctors like other states which in turn will prevent the primary Healthcare network from collapsing.