IT News
Imphal, July 2:
The All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organizations (AIFUCTO) has issued a strong condemnation of the central government’s handling of the recent NEET (UG) scandal. In a joint statement, AIFUCTO President Prof. Dr. M. Nagarajan and General Secretary Prof. Dr. Arun Kumar criticized the government’s irresponsible attitude, holding it primarily responsible for the cancellation and deferral of the UGC and CSIR NET exams and the NEET (PG) exam within a week’s time.
AIFUCTO expressed that the government’s callous insouciance has jeopardized the future of nearly half a crore highly meritorious students across the country. They described the situation as an unprecedented and unforgivable failure by government-appointed agencies and institutions. AIFUCTO emphasized that neither the Department of Higher Education nor the Minister-in-Charge can absolve themselves by making superficial changes to the flawed and centralized system of conducting national-level examinations.
The organization has consistently warned the government against conducting national level tests through centralized mechanisms such as the NTA. According to AIFUCTO, the NTA has repeatedly failed to ensure transparency and accountability in the exams it conducts. They argue that the current fiasco is a result of the government’s refusal to consider proposals from teachers’ and students’ bodies, and fear that such issues will persist unless the government changes its autocratic approach.
Given the gravity of the situation and the impact on students’ futures, AIFUCTO demands immediate and stringent action against those responsible for the recent scandals and irregularities in the education sector. They call for justice and equal opportunity for every student, emphasizing the need to secure the future of the country’s youth.
AIFUCTO’s demands include:
1. A Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the NEET scam, as they believe a CBI inquiry would be insufficient, citing the Madhya Pradesh Vyapam scam as a precedent.
2. The resignation of Central Education Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan as a gesture of democratic accountability.
3. The dissolution of the NTA, arguing that a national examining body violates the federal spirit of the constitution and the interests of marginalized students.
4. The delegation of examination conduct to the states, with only the All India Medical Services Exam being managed centrally.
5. Consultation with teachers’ and students’ bodies, including AIFUCTO, in any policy changes in the education sector.
AIFUCTO strongly condemns the Ministry of Education’s handling of the NEET UG examination and the cancellation of NEET PG, UGC-NET examinations. They argue that the NTA has become an agent of an education mafia and brokers, citing clear evidence of paper leaks and other irregularities. Despite arrests made by state police in Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and others, the Ministry of Education under Dharmendra Pradhan has denied responsibility and refused to take accountability, instead protecting the NTA’s Director and officials.
AIFUCTO, as the largest organization of university and college teachers in the country, insists on immediate reforms to restore faith in the education system and ensure the integrity of future examinations.
