Should universities reserve seats for government school students Tamil Nadu government recently passed a bill providing 7.5% reservation in medical colleges to government school students who have cleared NEET

EDUCATION TIMES 

TALKING POINT

Should universities reserve seats for government school students

Tamil Nadu government recently passed a bill providing 7.5% reservation in medical colleges to government school students who have cleared NEET

16.11.2020

Need for pre-NEET coaching

Scheme of horizontal reservation of 7.5% seats is in the interest of students from rural areas but this could not be a long-term solution for the government schools. The state governments should have a pre-NEET/ other competitive exam coaching programmes as being done in civil services in some states. The government school reservation quota should be reviewed in a time frame. Quotas are not the solutions to produce good professionals for medical and related jobs.

CS DUBEY

VICE CHANCELLOR,

SANSKRITI UNIVERSITY

Against the spirit of competition

Government school students are meritorious enough to secure a seat without a special reservation. School-based reservations are against the spirit of competition. A student’s success in a competitive exam is not dependent on school but his/her capabilities. In the information age, the study material is easily available to everyone. Since government schools have fewer resources; these students are determined to clear competitive exams and often go the extra mile.

VENUGOPAL KR

VICE CHANCELLOR,

BANGALORE UNIVERSITY

Beneficial for EWS category students

It is a welcome move as it only applies to those who have studied in a government school from class VI-XII.

Adulteration or loopholes in the process becomes difficult because of the condition.

Most often, students who are socially and economically disadvantaged opt to study in government schools. This will help students from the backward sections of the society to have a fair chance at securing admission in reputed colleges.

SAJIN KUMAR

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,

KERALA UNIVERSITY

May increase enrolment in government schools

Government school students must get access to quality education and fulfil their dreams. Those who qualify NEET prove their mettle. If implemented properly, the reservation policy may also help in increasing the enrolments in government schools. The schools may also work harder to attract more students. It may be a win-win situation for both students and schools.

DR PRATHMESH BHUJBAL

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DR DY PATIL MEDICAL COLLEGE, HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE, PUNE

– As told to  Sheetal Banchariya