Parents, activists want more exam centres for Neet in state

Parents, activists want more exam centres for Neet in state

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.08.2020

To better maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of Covid-19, parents and activists in Tamil Nadu have urged the National Testing Agency (NTA) to set up more exam centres for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Neet) scheduled for September 13.

The Supreme Court order has finally put an end to the confusion over exam dates and many students are ready to take the test.

Samuel Rozario,a Neet aspirant in the city, said he has no issues writing the exams on September 13. “The uncertainty in exam dates has affected us. Now, we can prepare well after knowing that the exams will be held on the same date,” he said.

He added that competition is likely to be tough. “I used to get 500 out of 720 marks in mock tests and I am scoring 600 marks now. With all students having had more time to prepare for the exam, I expect an increase in the cut-off scores for medical admission,” he said.

This year 1.2 lakh students in TN have registered for the common medical entrance test. The agency had set up 560 exam centres in 14 cities in Tamil Nadu last year. Citing the Covid pandemic, activists and parents demanded exam centres in all districts and allotment of exam centres within native districts of the students so it is easier for them to reach the spot.

Ramadevi E, a parent hailing from Cuddalore district, said, “In the absence of public transport it may be tough for us to travel to other locations. Last year, we travelled but this year may be tough.”

Another parent Sathyamurthy R said he was scared to send his son to a crowded exam hall. “We hope NTA will ensure social distancing norms in the centres. We should have double or triple the centres or hold exams in two shifts,” he said.

G R Ravindranath, general secretary of Doctors’ Association for Social Equality said the Centre should consider cancelling the exam. “If exams are to be conducted, then they should allot centres within the district for students as transport, stay and travel will be a major issue. The testing agency should arrange for transport and provide masks and hand sanitizers at the centres,” he added.

Meanwhile, a few city schools said the NTA had approached them for conducting the exam. “They are looking for 500sqft rooms to maintain social distancing and looking for larger schools,” a principal said.

Activists and parents demanded that students be allotted centres in native districts as travel, stay and safety would be an issue otherwise. This year 1.2 lakh students in TN have registered for the common medical entrance test