Puducherry Govt Planning to Relax Eligibility Criteria for Medical Admission under 10 percent Quota for Govt School Students
Puducherry: The Puducherry Government is considering to relax the criteria for admission under 10% quota for government school students' scheme in medical colleges in the Union Territory, The Hindu has reported.
Confirmation in this regard came from the UT Chief Minister N. Rangasamy while he was attending the Teachers' Day celebrations held at Kamarajar Manimandapam near Sivaji Statue
CM Rangasamy said that the UT Government's decision of providing 10% reservation to the NEET-qualified government school students in medical admission has been widely welcomed. Although implementation of the quota would bring 30 seats in medical colleges for admission under the scheme, only 14 students were eligible for admission this academic year, he informed.
"At present, students studying from Class 1 to 12 in government schools are only considered for admission in medical colleges under the quota. There is a demand to relax the criteria by considering those studying from Class 6 to 12 in government schools. The relaxation of criteria will help more students avail the scheme for admission in medical colleges. We are considering the demand," CM Rangasamy informed The Hindu.
The Daily has reported that the UT Government is also planning providing reservation to government school students in admission to engineering, nursing and other higher education courses.
CM Rangasamy added that the government is committed to provide quality education in government schools. There was no second opinion regarding the quality of teachers at the government schools because they get recruited based on merit. However, he added that many parents still prefer to admit their children to private schools.
"We want to change the situation. The decision to provide 10% reservation was aimed to attract children to government schools. The government is also taking steps to improve infrastructure in schools. Also, special attention was given to provide clean environment in schools," he added.
Mr. Rangasamy also referred to the steps taken by the Government to enhance the competency of teachers by providing them training to upgrade their skills and subject knowledge and added that the teachers should also adapt to the changing requirements.
He also mentioned that the government's objective was providing quality education and job opportunities for those passing out from the higher educational institutes in Puducherry.
