Students of government PU colleges in Karnataka upset over not getting CET, NEET coaching

While many students in private colleges get special coaching as part of their regular classes, those in government colleges do not get this facility.

Pre-university students in the science stream have to appear for the Common Entrance Test or National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to secure seats in professional courses. But special coaching for these tests being a distant dream for students from poorer sections enrolled in government colleges, especially in smaller towns, they feel that their chance at professional courses is very dim. Exams for PU started on March 1 across Karnataka.

While many students in private colleges get special coaching as part of their regular classes, those in government colleges do not get this facility.

“We feel our dreams cannot go beyond a certain point,” said a student of a government PU college in Shivamogga, having received no special coaching on how to tackle the CET or NEET.

Many subject experts charge up to ₹35,000 for special classes on how to prepare for CET.

“I cannot afford to pay so much,” said Chandana, a student in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district. She wants to study medicine but is not confident of securing the seat as she has no special training. “I was hoping that our lecturers in the PU college would conduct classes on CET and NEET. But they organised just two classes. I am not confident of securing a good ranking,” she said.

Umma Aiman of Thirthahalli wants to study medicine. “My dream is to become a doctor. I don’t know if I will succeed in securing a seat. I am losing confidence because there is no proper coaching on CET or NEET. It is not like the annual exam. We need special classes on CET and NEET, but our teachers do not prepare us for this test,” she said.

Many rural students wish to pursue paramedical courses if they cannot secure seats in medical or engineering colleges. However, since 2023, CET has been compulsory for nursing courses as well. “Forget becoming doctors, we may not get seats even in nursing colleges. There are hardly any courses that we can join without appearing for the CET. Finally, we may end up doing regular undergraduate courses,” opined Ahalya of Megaravalli in Thirthahalli taluk.