Educational pattern in our country is going through changes since country’s independence. Changes are taking place in the admission process of various academic courses, evaluation system of answer scripts, preparation of gradation list, text books of different classes in different States etc.
Keeping the scenario of present educational changes of our country it is presumed that we do not have any practical vision to channelize the young talents. The intellect of the students is tested in a whimsical way without giving them chance to adapt with the pattern or syllabus.
Curiously, when there is a change in the Government, changes also are taking place in the educational field. The new pattern continues for a specific period till another Government comes and implements some changes.
The Supreme Court’s ruling for one medical entrance test (NEET) in two phases this year has cleared the cloud of uncertainty over lakhs of candidates. The special bench of the apex court has already approved its first phase which was conducted on May1, 2016 and clarified that those who did not appear in first schedule can appear in second phase of the test.
According to the previous arrangement of AIPMT, only 15 per cent seats of the State medical colleges were allotted from the merit list. A candidate was supposed to fill forms with requisite amount of fees for so many colleges across the country and appeared a number of examinations. In some private institutes, hefty fees were collected by selling admission forms.
The present directive of the Supreme Court is a bold step to curb corruption in the admission of higher education. The landmark judgment would make the process more transparent and effective.
However, the apex court must ensure its right implementation in all States and in all Government and non-Government medical colleges. Preparation of an all India basis merit list is also a great task. At first sight there might be minor obstacles but they can be got over gradually. It is not a major issue for a great cause.
But in other aspects it is unique in nature because of its All India level uniformity and identical pattern. It is a good message to the people of India that judiciary is always vigilant towards all top level examinations and it should ensure that merit must be only criteria for selection.
Forcing students to appear at multiple entrance examinations across the country resulted in putting excess burden and mental stress in the minds of the students and at the same time they would also have to spend huge amount of money in filing up the forms. This landmark judgment of apex court would be supportive to maintain quality in higher studies in our country.
(The writer is a faculty member, DM School, Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar.
e-mail-rdrayfreelancer@gmail.com)