Don’t allow students with biology, physics, chemistry as optional subjects to appear in NEET UG: SFI

NEW DELHI: Student Federation of India (SFI) has opposed the decision of National Medical Commission (NMC) to allow students to apply for NEET UG 2024 who have pursued physics, chemistry and biology/biotechnology as additional subjects in Class 12 board exams.

The student organisation has termed the decision as a step to promote commercialisation and privatisation of medical education. “On November 22, the UGMEB ( Undergraduate Medical Education Board) issued a notification wherein it has changed the provisions mentioned under Chapter- II, i.e Regulation of Graduate Medical Education(1997). The UGMEB has quoted the highly controversial ‘flexibility in choice of subjects’ provisions of the New Education Policy (NEP 2020) for bringing these changes. The decision taken, based on the NEP 2020, is aimed to commercialise and privatise medical education completely,” the SFI said in a statement.

These subjects have to be taught, along with lab practicals, it added. “Additional courses, which focus only on clearing exams and imparting study materials, can result in a fall in the quality of medical education. The new provision will ensure eligibility of those candidates who have little knowledge about these subjects that form the backbone of medical education,” the statement read.

The student body added that practical knowledge is of foremost importance when it comes to understanding medical science. “The new criteria which will permit students who are not attending regular classes will lead to admission of those who lack practical knowledge and aptitude. This is an attempt to infuse more students into private coaching centres, which have already put financial burden and academic pressure on students,” the SFI said.

Also Read | NEET UG 2024: NMC revises eligibility criteria; allows biology as additional subject in Class 12

At the same time, this removal of restrictions on the eligibility criteria for NEET UG will allow for a greater intake of students by private medical colleges, particularly in management quota seats and charge an exorbitant amount for imparting substandard medical education, it added.

The organisation has demanded immediate reversal of the decision and scrapping of NEP 2020 for betterment of students.

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