NTA had announced to schedule JEE-Main from 1 to 6 September and the NEET exam on 13 September. Ever since this announcement was made, a lot of fuss surrounding the exams being conducted in the wake of the Pandemic crisis has turned the situation volatile. The decision as is seen has been taken by the government to keep the yearly admission cycle non-disruptive.
However, the decision of the education ministry is termed as draconian and unjust among the students’ fraternity in the nation. Several students (4,200 as per India Today Report) have gone to the extent of participating in the hunger strike and few hundred expressed their discontentment against the Government on Twitter.
The collective protest is against the Government’s decision to conduct the exams at a time when the ratio of an infected person is surpassing that of the ratio of recovery. Apart from health concerns, the other big challenge which the students have addressed is that of proximity. Most states in India are yet to start operation of public transport and affordable hotels are shut in most parts of India.
Times of India report reflects, as on Monday, 24 August, around 7.30 lakh JEE Main aspirants had downloaded the admit card. Out of this total number of students, around 320 aspirants had requested NTA to change their exam. Taking all these issues of extreme inconvenience faced by the aspirants, many state governments like the AAM Admi Party ruling the national capital has staged a protest against the decision of the government. Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister as well as the Maharashtra Chief Minister has voiced a similar discontentment regarding the decision.
The HRD ministry has however given complete assurance to the aspirants regarding safety measures to be carried out inside the exam hall. The faculties of IIM and IIT have expressed concern about the delay in starting the semester program. Any further delay in the student selection process could aggravate the situation. This has been the prime focus of the Ministry of Education and no delay will, therefore, be made in the conduct of the exam.
However, stepping into the shoes of the students, I completely empathize with the emotions of the aspirants. I believe, most of the students have protested out of sheer confusion about the future, career, and various associated challenges pointed out surrounding the conduct of the exam at this testing time. To avoid this concourse programs for the interested students at the national level.
Further, to make the NEP 2020 a success, they could have directed the faculties and authorities of IIMs and IITs to chalk out a futuristic plan of reform measures in the institution. The overall success of the nation depends on how education is imparted and not how courses are completed following the regular semester system. To meet the goals of 21’ st century learning as has been clearly emphasized in the NEP 2020, an immediate course of action is the need of the hour. Thus, faculties and authorities of these institutes require taking up refresher courses in collaboration with Global Universities to make higher education at par with that of the top Universities of the world.
Thus, as a responsible citizen of India and one who is a lifelong learner, I hope the Ministry of Education will be a little more empathic in their future decisions and keep the national interest in the first place rather than meeting just the immediate crisis. Jai Hind!