Parents irked at Medical Council's 2-language rule for entrance test

With the Medical Council of India (MCI) recent announcement that the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) will be held only in English and Hindi language, a lot of parents all over the country are fuming. Most of them want the exam to be held in regional languages too.

This apart, parents are also angry with the sudden change in the syllabus at such a short notice. A protest was held in the city on Sunday evening in this regard, wherein around 200 parents met and discussed their future course of action.

In the meet, aggrieved parents decided to form three committees under the 'Parents Association against NEET'. "With four members in each committee, the parents formed Core, Finance and Legal committees, which will take care of different issues while fighting against MCI's decision. Also a resolution was passed to meet state health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas," said a parent.

The parents also stated that there is ambiguity about the government's stand in the matter and want a clear picture on the issue. "In few days, we will approach Vyas to present our issue. Till now, government has supported us very well in our fight but we still want a clear picture whether the government will support us till the end."

Another parent said that the Maharashtra government has filed a case in the Supreme Court and it is expected from the state government to do the same. "If the government won't support us in this fight, we will then file a case in the Supreme Court soon," a parent stated.

Moreover, parents have shown discontentment on the new syllabus of NEET. "The experts took 84 days to prepare the new syllabus and they believe that the students should switch to the new syllabus suddenly and complete their preparations within 150 days. Also, as per the new syllabus the candidates will have to study the syllabus of 11th Science again to prepare for the entrance test.

At present, our children are studying in Std. 12 science and are preparing for NEET. Now the students will again have to refer and study Std 11science for their preparations, which is really unfair and not acceptable," stated Jignesh Bhatt, member of core committee of the Association. The NEET is scheduled to be held on May 13, 2012.