CHENNAI: With the government yet to announce its decision on the common entrance test for admission to professional colleges, thousands of students and parents in the State are looking forward to the Governor's address to the Assembly, scheduled for Friday. "The government is actively considering the issue [of whether or not to continue with the Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination] and an announcement is expected soon. Only upon receiving specific instructions, can we start setting the question papers. We too are still waiting,'' Anna University Vice-Chancellor D.Viswanathan told reporters here on Wednesday.

For the students, the uncertainty intensified after the release of the Plus Two examinations schedule, set to commence on March 2. Normally, preparations for the CET begin much ahead of or along with that of the Plus Two examinations, with students dividing time between coaching centres. That is conspicuously absent now.

"We are going ahead in the hope that the CET will not be done away with. If it is done, I want to ensure that my daughter performs to her best in the Board exams, the only shot she will have at a medical seat. If an announcement is not made within a week, there is bound to be considerable unrest within the student community,'' said a parent who has enrolled his ward in a prestigious coaching centre.

Coaching centres, normally abuzz with activity at this time of the year, are reporting paltry attendance. "Normally, we have anywhere between five to eight sessions each day, with 50 to 75 students in each session. This year, we have four sessions with only 70 percent attendance. Parents seem to be wary of a dead investment,'' said the owner of a T.Nagar-based coaching centre.

Educational analysts pointed out that parents are finding it difficult to plan their wards' future.

Said Salem-based consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi: "If the TNPCEE dates are announced early, it will help students plan ahead for other exams such as the AIEEE, IIT and the All India Pre-Medical Entrance, as these also include the Class XI syllabus as against merely the Class XII syllabus for the CET.

"As the TNPCEE is conducted before the AIEEE, students get extra time for the latter. This year, with the AIEEE scheduled for April 30, unless the CET issue is cleared, students will be at a distinct disadvantage.''

Students are hoping that the wait will be over on Friday.

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