SFI calls for nationwide protest on July 4, demands compensation for NET, NEET exam students

NEW DELHI: The Students' Federation of India (SFI) has issued a statement criticizing the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its repeated failures in conducting national-level exams, sparking widespread discontent among students across the country. SFI has announced a nationwide student strike scheduled for July 4. The demands put forth by the SFI include scrapping of NTA, resignation of the union education minister, compensation for students of NET and NEET exams, withdrawal of decision mandating NET score for PhD admissions.

SFI have highlighted a series of mishaps and misconducts by the NTA, including the postponement of the NEET PG examination, which has further aggravated the situation.

Allegations of transparency issues and paper leaks

The NEET UG 2024 results declared on June 4 faced allegations of transparency issues and paper leaks, with doubts on the credibility of the examination process. SFI highlights, the UGC NET exam, attended by lakhs of students, was also abruptly canceled post-exam due to similar reports of discrepancies and paper leaks. "Adding to this incompetence, the NTA also postponed the CSIR NET, originally scheduled in the next week of UGC NET. This delay only highlights the increasing lack of faith of NTA in its own functioning and existence," read the official statement.

Privatization of education

SFI also criticized the centralization of exams like CUET and NEET, arguing that such practices have led to increased privatization of education, thereby making it inaccessible for marginalized students. The federation alleges that the government's 'One Nation, One Exam' initiative has failed to uphold its promise. "Under the garb of 'One Nation, One Exam', the entire examination system has collapsed and put the academic future of students at risk for an indefinite period," read the SFI statement.

Concerns over NTA's capacity

Citing a report by The Telegraph, the SFI points out that the NTA manages 25 public exams with less than 25 permanent staff members, highlighting concerns about the agency's capacity and the government's oversight of its operations.

NEET Row: SFI's demands for independent inquiry

The SFI further denounces the MoE for its failure to address the NTA's shortcomings, blaming people affiliated with the RSS and demanding for greater accountability within the ministry. SFI demands a transparent and independent inquiry into the irregularities surrounding the NTA and demands for structural reforms within the education sector.

Limited access to education

Highlighting broader issues in the school education sector under the BJP-led NDA regime, the SFI cites budget cuts to education departments, closures of government schools, teacher shortages, and a decline in gross enrollment ratios. The press release read, "Contrary to the Modi government’s promise of improving access to education, the reality is that “between 2018-19 and 2021-22, the total number of schools in India decreased by 61,885, dropping from 15,51,000 to 14,89,115. The most significant decline was observed in Central and State Government schools, accounting for 61,361 closures".This, according to the SFI, has increased accessibility challenges, particularly for marginalized communities.

Nationwide student strike on July 4

In response to these grievances, the central executive committee of the SFI has announced a nationwide Student Strike scheduled for July 4. The strike aims to protest against what it describes as an assault on education and democracy in the country. Students are urged to boycott classes and participate in marches across all states and national capitals.

Demands by SFI

According to the official statement, the students ' strike will demand the following:

• Scrapping NTA
• Calling for the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
• Demanding compensation for students who took the recent NET and NEET exams, to be provided by the union government.
• Reversing the newly implemented mandatory NET score requirement for PhD admissions.
• Withdraw from the attempts to replace existing admission procedures with centralised entrance tests, thereby nurturing entrance mafias in the country.
• From TISS Mumbai, IIT Bombay to Hyderabad Central University - Stop relentless witch-hunting of student activists and the Suppression of Free Expression and Democracy in Our Universities.
• Stop the closure of schools