Tamil actor-politician Vijay has strongly advocated for the scrapping of the NEET examination, citing multiple concerns regarding its impact on students, especially those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds in Tamil Nadu. His comments come amidst widespread controversy over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in certain states during the NEET-UG exams.
Vijay argued that NEET imposes unfair challenges on Tamil Nadu students who primarily study in their state language and syllabus, yet are evaluated based on the NCERT syllabus. He emphasized that this disparity undermines the rights of states and discriminates against students who do not have access to the same resources and educational opportunities as their urban counterparts.
He criticized the centralization of education and examinations, advocating instead for a decentralized approach that respects the diversity and specific needs of each state's educational system. Vijay expressed concerns that a uniform national curriculum and examination policy contradicts the essence of education, which should be tailored to cater to regional diversity and strengths.
Addressing recent controversies and allegations surrounding NEET, Vijay highlighted the erosion of public trust in the examination due to reported irregularities, including the allocation of grace marks and question paper leaks. He called for an immediate ban on NEET as a response to these issues and suggested a more permanent solution by transferring education back to the State List from the Concurrent List.
Vijay supported Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's decision to abolish NEET in the state and urged the central government to respect the sentiments and demands of Tamil Nadu residents. He proposed amending the Constitution to establish a special Concurrent List that includes subjects like education and health to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, Vijay's stance reflects broader sentiments within Tamil Nadu and other states opposing NEET-UG, highlighting concerns over fairness, accessibility, and the integrity of the examination process. His advocacy adds to the ongoing debate on educational reforms and the decentralization of policymaking in India's federal structure.
