It is being argued that NEET, which is used for medical entrance is not student-friendly, merit-promoting. Do you agree? Critically examine.
It is said that the exclusive control of education by the State has been an important factor in facilitating the maintenance of totalitarian tyrannies.
In such States institutions of higher learning controlled and managed by governmental agencies act like mercenaries, promote the political purposes of the State, make them acceptable to an increasing number of their populations and supply them with the weapons they need.
National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is an assault on the autonomy of universities and higher education institutions, particularly private, unaided ones.
In the case of education, over-centralisation is becoming a harsh and painful reality.
Similarly in the name of NEET or the state’s power to “regulate”, the rights of unaided private institutions and minority institutions cannot be violated as regulation cannot annihilate minority character.
Tamil Nadu has been opposing NEET. With NEET and similar other national tests such as the Joint Entrance Examination coaching institutes are prospering; since most of them are in cities, poorer students from a rural background and who have studied in the vernacular medium face a disadvantage.
There is also large-scale variation in the syllabus and standards of the Central Board of Secondary Education and State boards.
One cannot overlook some of the advantages a student has if there are multiple tests: if he falls ill or has not done well in one test, he will still have a chance to qualify in another without losing a year.
Second, it gives a student a right to select an institution of his choice. Third, the NEET paper was leaked twice in the last four years
On the other hand, NEET is considered the best option as it promotes merit.
The Supreme Court has consistently held that Article 30 is not so absolute as to be above the law and regulations made in the true interests of efficiency of instruction, discipline, health, sanitation, morality and public order could be imposed.
