Editorial #021

THE HINDU EDITORIAL

It is a measured gambit  by Tamil Nadu. The State has taken the legislative route to grant itself exemption from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a uniform examination that will decide admission to medical courses all over the country. The two Bills passed by the State Assembly seek to retain its present admission system for under-graduate and post-graduate medical courses based on marks obtained by students in their higher secondary school examination. The Bills are likely to displease the Supreme Court, which insists that NEET marks be the sole basis for admission. The Bills will also require the President’s assent; else they would be repugnant to the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act and the Dentists Act that prescribe the entrance test. Tamil Nadu, which abolished entrance examinations to professional courses in 2006, argues that NEET would be traumatic for both parents and children, as it would be based on a syllabus different from the one taught in schools under the board for higher secondary education. The fear is that NEET would be insurmountable for students from rural areas and under-privileged backgrounds and those who cannot afford coaching centers. Its concern that urban students, especially those from streams such as the CBSE, would dominate admissions under NEET cannot be dismissed easily.

Regulations introducing NEET were struck down by a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in 2013 by a two-one majority. Last year, a five-judge Bench recalled the verdict and NEET was back in place. Students all over the country were gripped by anxiety and tension following the sudden change in the admission method. The Centre promulgated an ordinance to grant relief for under-graduate medical admissions in 2016, but no such protection is available this year. There is now an inevitable conflict between the need for a fair and transparent admission system to curb rampant commercialization of medical education and the socio-economic goals of the State, which is worried about producing enough committed doctors ready to serve in rural areas. Both objectives are indeed laudable. However, a moot question is whether uniformity should be thrust on a country that has wide regional, economic and linguistic disparities. Normally it is the political leadership, and not the courts, that should harmonies such differences and evolve a viable admission policy. At the same time, States cannot remain forever insulated from the need to upgrade educational standards. It may be easy to advise the courts to keep out of the policy domain, but a more difficult task is for institutions in the government and the private sector to maintain standards and pass the court’s triple test of fairness, transparency and freedom from exploitation.

VOCABULARY 

1. Gambit - An act or remark that is calculated to gain an advantage, especially at the outset of a situation
2. Legislative - Having the power to make laws
3. Exemption -The action of freeing or state of being free from an obligation or liability imposed on others:
4. Uniform -  Remaining the same in all cases and at all times; unchanging in form or character
5. Seek -  Attempt to find (something)
6. Retain - Continue to have (something); keep possession of
7. Displease - Make (someone) feel annoyed or upset
8. Sole - One and only
9. Insists - Demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal
10. Assent -The expression of approval or agreement
11. Repugnant - Extremely distasteful; unacceptable
12. Provisions  - The action of providing or supplying something for use
13. Abolished - Formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution)
14. Traumatic - Deeply disturbing or distressing
15. Insurmountable - Too great to be overcome
16. Privileged  - Having special rights, advantages, or immunities
17. Concern  - Relate to; be about
18. Dominate  - Have power and influence over
19. Struck - Hit forcibly and deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement
20. Recalled - Bring (a fact, event, or situation) back into one's mind; remember
21. Verdict  -A decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest
22. Anxiety - A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
23. Promulgated - Promote or make widely known (an idea or cause)
24. Inevitable - Certain to happen; unavoidable
25. Rampant - (especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading unchecked
26. Uniformity - The quality or state of being uniform
27. Disparities - A great difference
28. Harmonies - The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect
29. Viable - Capable of working successfully; feasible
30. Exploitation - The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work