The lack of courage to face the Centre politically and legally on the issue of NEET, which is resulting in disappointment for those aspiring to enter medical college this year, is a blot on the AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government (Editorial – “A clear failure”, August 2). No argument will wash the basically flawed stand by the Centre that CBSE-centric knowledge alone will ensure merit in admission to medical colleges throughout the country. When students are allowed to select different boards, to impose on them the CBSE syllabus defies logic.
K. Natarajan,
Madurai
Apart from promoting mediocrity, the move by the State government to secure exemption for State board students from the NEET entrance examination also has the grave potential of alienating the State further from the mainstream. It already suffers in terms of lagging behind in industrial growth, employment opportunities, quality of education and the like — a huge slide from its once exalted position. It is evident that students from the State are unable to compete with their all-India counterparts. There should be no compromise on the quality of education and its capacity to equip students of the State to claim a share in national development. The narrow and parochial outlook of State politicians, with only votes in mind, may fetch them short-term benefits, but students should be able to see through the game.
R.V. Easwar,
New Delhi
