KsmalHaasan”s Makkak Neethi Maiyum. Vice President. R.Thangavelu Statement regarding NEET exam:
Fear of failure in the NEET exams, seems to be the reason for the continuous suicide attempts by students in Tamil Nadu. Makkal Needhi Maiyam insists on banning the NEET exam to be the only way to stop such painful events .
The results of the NEET exam for admissions to UG medical courses have been declared. Only 67, 787 students of the 1.2 lakh who appeared have cleared the exams. In 2020, the pass percentage was 57.44 and in 2021 it was 54.40 and this year it has decreased to 51.30. Only two students have secured ranks within the top 50 in the NEET exams.
Tamil Nadu boasts of making progress in the field of education. But in comparison with the other states, the pass percentage in Tamil Nadu has reduced. The pass percentage is 51.30 percent in Tamil Nadu when compared to overall pass percentage of 56.28.Statewise, the performance of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are in the forefront.
A student from Thirumullaivoyal , Lakshana Shwetha committed suicide after failing to clear the NEET exam, She was found hanging at her residence. Makkal Needhi Maiyam condoles the death and shares the grief with the family members. In Tiruvallur district, a student Jayasudha has attempted suicide by drinking acid. It is painful that the suicide attempts which began with Ariyalur Anita has not stopped.
The President has not given his consent to the state bill to ban the NEET exam. The central Government has not shown any interest either. The election manifesto of DMK to ban the NEET exam has not been met and they are mute spectators watching these incidents. It has become crystal clear that only the students studying in private institutions paying lakhs will clear the exam.
NEET exams should not only be banned in Tamil Nadu but across the country and this thought is voiced by Makkal Needhi Maiyam and all the people of the state. The state must strengthen its stand in opposing the exam. The Central Government should come forward and take steps to ban the entrance exam from the country.
At the same time, as an interim solution, the state should run coaching centres with eligible teachers or should offer assistance for the students to study at the private coaching centers.
A mother at Karaikkal poisioned an eigth standard student who posed as a competition to her daughter. The importance given to scoring high marks being the sole criteria in our education system is the reason for such incidents. That is why Makkal Needhi Maiyam continuously stresses on the need for a change in the present educational system.
It is mandatory to improve the standard of education specifically in the schools run by the Government. In this year, of the 17,000 students who appeared for NEET exam from the schools run by the Government, 80 percent have faced failure. Educationists insist that students from Tamil Nadu need to start preparing earlier and should be provided quality education.
Hence, all the political parties must strongly oppose and ban NEET exam in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, as long as these exams are conducted, the Tamil Nadu government should take necessary steps for the students to clear the entrance exam and avail the opportunity to become doctors .
– R.Thangavelu,
Vice President,
Makkal Needhi Maiam.
