Academic schedule of MBBS course is likely to be disrupted

The academic schedule of MBBS course is likely to be disrupted this year, with one of the two organisations of college managements deciding to go ahead with the admission procedure after the High Court ordered to stay the government’s order to take over all the seats in self-financing medical colleges.

While talks between the government and the Kerala Private Medical College Managements’ Association remain inconclusive, the Kerala Christian Professional College Managements’ Federation has made it clear that it would go ahead with the admission process, in the wake of the High Court order.

“The government order was nothing but an attempt to make the presence of the LDF Government in the State felt. There was no legal ground for the government to issue an order to take over the seats,” said Federation spokesperson George Paul.

“To ensure adherence to the stipulated time schedule, the government has to find a solution that is acceptable to all. Everything was going on smoothly. There would not have been any problem if such a government order was not issued. Now, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that MBBS admission is done in accordance with the norms,” he said, adding that the concept of differential fees was not practical.

“It is an injustice that students who pursue the same course in the same college are forced to pay different fees. While some pay hefty fees, others who are admitted in merit quota pay the fees fixed by the government. The fee in colleges under the Federation is `4.40 Lakh per annum, which has to be paid at the time of admission. As much as ten per cent of the fees collected from students is remitted to the government for distribution among financially backward students as scholarship,” said Paul.

He pointed out that colleges under the Federation were carrying out admission in a transparent manner. “All the details related to admission are submitted before the Admission Supervisory Committee. We do not conduct admission on our own,” he claimed.

Paul is of the opinion that the government should not finance education of students hailing from well-to-do families in government medical colleges.

“It is a fact that most of the students studying in government medical colleges belong to rich families, and do not need government support for education. The money spent on students belonging to rich families should be utilised for educating poor students,” he added.

By Babu K Peter posted in New Indian Express