No clarity on NEET exemption for TN; Govt school students in a fix

With no clarity on the Tamil Nadu’s status, the students of corporation and government schools are in a fix about how to appear for the national level exam without any coaching. 

Stakeholders opined that a number of private school students, reportedly coming from families with sound financial background, can afford to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to attend classes at private coaching centres. 

Some educational institutions even conduct coaching for students from Class 9. 

Deputy Commissioner for Education, Greater Chennai Corporation, Govinda Rao said, “There is no specific coaching or mechanism for higher secondary students as of now. We are surely taking it to the next level by providing IIT/NEET coaching. It is a challenge, and it cannot be expected this academic year as we need specialised teachers for it”. 

An official with the Directorate of School Education said, “We have no information regarding the conduct of NEET in the State this year. We do not know the policy on it. There are private centres where students can attend coaching classes. As of now there are no plans of to conduct coaching in government schools.”   

President of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association PK Illamaran said, “We cannot think of coaching students. The teachers’ hands are full as they have to gear up for the board examinations and adding the task of coaching them for NEET will not be possible”. 

Neurologist and former vice-principal of KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchy MA Aleem said, “NEET will be a tough challenge for State Board students. Attending coaching at private centres is cost effective. Personally, we do not prefer NEET, but as it is made mandatory, we must prepare the students for it.”