“The system killed “, this was the headline in Malayalam Manorama newspaper day before yesterday’s edition while reporting about the death of Akanksha , a NEET candidate of this year. It is a very true assessment of the pathetic condition of education system and the related services.
Coming to NEET-UG2026 it is almost a repetition of NEET-UG2024.The controversy over CBSE evaluation process is also a similar case. The change is a must and essential for growth. But for the change to be implemented smoothly and be productive, the stakeholders -the administrators, parents, teachers and students-should be sensitised and well informed about the salient features of it. Also dry runs at the national level after sufficient pilot projects conducted and evaluated; there after necessary changes and rectifications.
There are number of examples in the past where lack of sufficient pilot projects and testing caused failures. From more than two decades back we were seriously discussing at the national level about introducing continuous assessment and including vocational subjects in the syllabi. I was also very vocal about these in the meetings I attended but stressed also the need for sensitising and enabling the stakeholders and having sufficient pilot projects and validating it. But one board rushed through continuous assessment without conducting proper pilot projects, national level dry runs and validating it. The said board had to face lots of problems.
A thorough overhauling and reorientation of education system is essential to make education meaningful and purposeful. Secondary and higher secondary education syllabi should be so oriented students should be well prepared for appearing different entrance tests according to their capability and aptitude. Schools should stop preparing students only for engineering or medicine. Parents should also be prepared to accept and guide the children according to the interest and capacity of their wards. All the coaching institutions should be banned and make education process a joyful experience to attain a successful career suitable for his/her capability and aptitude.
If the organisations don’t learn the mishaps will continue and the consequences…
PT Joseph De Nobili School Mugma is my beloved teacher who taught me Chemistry & good manners! I salute all my teachers in DNS MUGMA who cared for us and taught us with love & compassion –
THE BARE FACTS
What began as a dream of lifting a family out of poverty through education has ended in heartbreak. Akanksha Chaturvedi, a NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh’s Mauganj district, allegedly died by suicide in Nagpur on May 20 after reportedly falling into depression following reports of irregularities and an alleged paper leak linked to the medical entrance examination. Days later, a handwritten note recovered by the family has brought her final thoughts into public view, revealing the immense emotional burden she had been carrying.
Relatives say the family had borrowed nearly Rs 3 lakh through a Kisan Credit Card loan and also took financial help from relatives to fund Akanksha’s preparation.
