From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 2: In the backdrop of the death of Haveri boy Naveen pursuing medical education in the war-torn Ukraine in the bomb attacks of, former Chief Minister and State Janata Dal (S) President H D Kumaraswamy and KPCC President D K Shivakumar have strongly condemned the Centre’s ‘’ill-advised’’ National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions to MBBS courses in the country forcing hundreds of students from poor and middle class families to go to countries like Ukraine to study medicine.

“The NEET system has shattered the dreams of securing medical education for the students from poor and middle class families,’’ said Kumaraswamy taking strong exception to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi’s “insensitive” comment that 90 percent of Indian students getting medical degrees abroad do not pass the necessary eligibility tests in the country and that he (Joshi) does not want to discuss about the cost of medical education in India.

The KPCC Chief, who addressed the media representatives en route the party’s Mekedatu padayatra, condemned the Union Minister’s statement imputing that the students who secured less marks go abroad to study and the fact that the country’s Prime Minister endorses such comments is ‘’shameful’’ and demanded Prahlad Joshi’s apology to the student community.

“The Union Minister’s statement is derogatory and an insult to the self-respect of students. A student from the State has lost his life due to bomb attack in the Ukraine war and the minister says the students who did not get good marks go abroad,’’ Shivakumar said. ``Most parents cannot afford to spend Rs 30 lakh, Rs 1 crore or Rs 2 crore on medical education for their children and therefore send them abroad to study at a lesser cost. Similarly, students who cannot afford to go to London or US to study are coming to India and even Karnataka. There are people who come to Bengaluru for heart surgeries in Jayadeva and other hospitals. Can we speak ill of such people,” he asked.

Kumaraswamy wondered about the Union minister’s statement that he does not want to discuss about the cost of medical education in India or compare costs in other countries as it was not the time for doing so. Obviously, the Union minister supports and justifies the high cost of getting medical education in India and ignores the hard reality that the NEET system has destroyed the dreams of large number of students from poor and middle class families to get medical education.

Mushrooming Tuition/Coaching Mafia

The NEET system has spawned the tuition and coaching mafia, he said and charged that the Centre was encouraging it. “The NEET system for admission to medical courses is a death knell for students and parents as it has ensured that only the rich and affluent can afford higher education denying the same to poorer and middle classes, especially to those coming from rural areas,’’ Kumaraswamy said.

The State JD(S) Chief said Naveen’s death due to bomb attack in Ukraine, where he had gone for getting medical education exhibits the ‘’ugly face of the NEET system.’’ Academically brilliant but financially weak, the rural students are deprived of medical education because of NEET system.

“Naveen secured 97% marks in Second PUC but was denied medical seat in India. It is difficult for a student from rural areas to get high percentage of marks and even those who do are deprived of medical education,’’ he said and alleged that NEET system has resulted in mushrooming of tuition shops doing business in crores by charging lakhs in fees and only those who get coaching in these tuition shops get 99% marks and seats under NEET.

The former Chief Minister said the Centre and the State Government crying hoarse over National Education Policy and “Vishwa Guru” were silent on commercialisation of medical education and are responsible for the deaths of students like Naveen.

The KPCC Chief said Union Minister Joshi must bear in mind that India’s talented youth are holding key positions in Europe, America, Australia and many other countries and were holding top positions in over 500 global companies.

“Ours is a global city and destination. There is nothing wrong in Indian students going abroad for education. Karnataka alone has 63 medical colleges and many outside students are studying in the state,’’ he said pointing out that some years back students from North India were coming to State as their home states lacked engineering or medical colleges.

Shivakumar said students like Naveen go to foreign countries to get medical education with dreams of getting higher education and become good citizens. “Naveen got excellent marks in SSLC and PUC. As he did not get a medical seat here, he went to Ukraine to study at lesser cost. All do not have the same financial capacity. But children of farmers, those selling vegetables or other menial work also want to give good education for their children. It is wrong and condemnable that such students are insulted as poor in studies, who could not get seats in India,’’ he said and warned that the younger generation and students might revolt if the government does not mend the situation.

The KPCC Chief promised to visit the parents of Naveen and console them after the padayatra along with local Congress leaders. “I spoke to Naveen’s brother and he said they were trying to exert pressure on the Indian Embassy in Ukraine to bring Naveen’s body home. He was magnanimous in not mentioning Centre. But we will urge the State and Central government to do everything possible to at least bring the body home,’’ he said.

Shivakumar criticised the State Government for its zeal and hurry in implementing the National Education Policy, which is nothing but Nagpur Education Policy of RSS. “They are talking about giving a separate degree if a student fails in one year in the 4-year degree course. This is devaluing the degrees and ultimately force them to sell pakoras,’’ he said and Congress party will withdraw the NEP as even BJP ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Uttar Pradesh were yet implement it.

Ashwath defends NEET

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan strongly defended the NEET system and described it as the best effort to set right anomalies in the admission process of medical education. “It (NEET) helps even children from poor families to become doctors. Those opposing it are crazy about money and enemies,’’ he said.

While sympathising with Naveen’s family and assuring that the State Government would extend all help to the family in its time of bereavement, he said the tragedy should not be exploited to attack caste system and reservation. The government is very much concerned about the poor and socially and economically backward sections, he said.

Out of the 20,000 Indians in Ukraine, the Centre has already brought back 2,000 persons and the rest will be brought back soon. The Centre is already in touch with Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Romania and other countries to help Indians stranded in Ukraine, the minister added.