03 May,2016 07:41 AM IST | | Pallavi Smart
Fearing that chaos might lead to depression among aspirants, parents and teachers form a group on social media to find ways to help their children
The chaotic scene of this year's medical entrance examination has prompted parents and teachers of aspirants to rise to their support, as they fear that this stress-inducing situation can lead to depression. After the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered for a single entrance examination - National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) - the students are baffled and wonder if they should appear for the MH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test). To hold them together and keep MH-CET on for at least this year, their parents and teachers have formed a group - MH-CET Parents' Association - on various social media platforms.
Since SC's order came just few days before the MH-CET scheduled for May 5, students are confused as the syllabus of both the exams is very different. Pic for representation
Also, the state government, along with other states, has filed a review petition with the Supreme Court requesting exemption from NEET, either completely or at least for this year. It will be heard today.
Since SC's order came just few days before the MH-CET scheduled for May 5, students were confused as the syllabus of both the exams is very different. Sangita Shah, a resident of Malad, said, "Being parents, we are so stressed that we can understand what our children must be going through. They have been studying 12-13 hours a day for over a year for CET and suddenly when the examination is just few days away, they came to know that whatever they have studied is not relevant anymore. The NEET is completely based on NCERT textbooks and includes curriculum of Std XI and XII. But to appear for state CET, children had been studying state board's Std XII books."
In this group, they discuss how they can help their children and students fight the stress and keep each other clued in on the matter. She added, "We parents had to come together to ensure that our children do not end up depressed. It is very scary. We understand that one entrance exam will be less stressful but its sudden implementation is completely unfair."
Teachers, too, called this move completely unjust while saying that students spend years preparing, so a few days' notice is not enough. Nayan Varma, who teaches physics to medical aspirants, said, "This is complete injustice towards students preparing for CET. Any changes in entrance procedure should be informed to them two years in advance because that is how much time students spend in preparing for it. This change is going to adversely affect those students too who will appear for entrance test next year."
While there are parents' groups in Delhi that are keeping track on what happens in the SC, others are in constant touch with the state government. Many parents are coming together at local levels to support students handle stress. The Pune chapter of the group has decided to conduct a dharna if the state CET is cancelled.
Dilip Shah, the group's representative from Pune, said, "We cannot let the state CET get cancelled. This is completely not justified. While students in cities can get the facility of crash courses at coaching centres, what about those who have prepared on their own? The authorities have to consider everybody."
