Kerala   

Need to revamp entrance system

Prior to introduction of entrance tests to select candidates for professional courses, the practice was to give admission on comparative merit with reference to the marks scored in pre-university/pre-degree examinations in all related subjects for which examinations were conducted. But widespread malpractices by unscrupulous evaluators caused the selection process to be changed and entrance tests were introduced. This helped coaching centres to flourish, charging exorbitant tuition fees. Parents too were ready to spend all their resources on their children as they wanted to assure employment for them. The time has come to abolish the present system and select students for professional courses on the basis of Plus Two marks alone. But government should take full responsibility for conducting Plus Two examinations without giving room for malpractices or complaints.

K.K. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

Admission tests for professional courses are redundant, and should be done away with. Marks obtained in the Plus Two examination are sufficient criteria for admission to professional courses. Also, it is sadism to tax young brains. Admission tests cost time and money, and build up tensions and worries which sap the calibre of children. If at all the Plus Two examination is made more selection-oriented, necessary changes may be thought of.

P.V. Divakaran

Avittathur

Apart from dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s there is little need for any major revamp of the present set up of an entrance exam for entry into professional courses in Kerala. Minor loopholes, if any, can be plugged, surveillance tightened and secrecy of the question paper maintained. Quality of the question paper can also be bettered. But don’t kill the goose that yields golden eggs.

K.B. Rajagopal

Kochi

Evaluation of a candidate should confirm his or her academic standard, skill in theory and practical of the course of study, aptitude and general awareness on day-to-day events.

Therefore, the syllabi of the entrance test needs to be well-planned and broad. The marks obtained by the candidate in his or her academic course of study, subject to a limit of 75% of the aggregate marks scored, combined with the marks in the entrance test must be the criteria for finding a position on the rank list.

R. Purushothaman Pillai Moncombu

The entrance tests, introduced in the State to eradicate the corruption and malpractice in admission process for professional courses, have become a platform for exploitation of the students community, especially financially, by the numerous entrance coaching centres throughout the State. The State government has not passed any law to regulate the coaching centres’ activities and the system has become a means of harassment of parents. It will be more helpful and people-friendly if admissions to professional courses in the State are strictly on the basis of merit attained by the students in the Plus Two examinations, abolishing the present entrance tests totally like the Tamil Nadu government has done.

H. Ravikumar

Kochi

If an innovation stays confusing and cumbersome even after twenty five years, it is time the original system was restored. That said, it is still worthwhile to review how the tests are being conducted, and how they are degrading knowledge by their practices. The reality is that knowledge is forced to the back seat by the few skills that alone are required to succeed in the tests. Instead of focusing on basics, the preparation for these tests is intensively limited to practising shortcuts. Predictability of question styles and patterns, even the order in which questions appear, helps such an approach succeed, but unhealthily.

It is rather strange that, when the tests were introduced, the authorities had the proven and time-tested IIT model to follow, but which was ignored then as it is now. All they need do is emulate that model.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

It would appear that the present system was evolved to benefit candidates who have been to coaching classes.

As everyone is aware, the coaching institutions cater to the needs of the well-to-do and urbanites, depriving the less privileged and rural-based students their share. Efforts should be made to include a logic test to maintain a proper balance. Consideration should also be given to marks obtained in the respective subjects in Plus Two.

Ambalath Aboobakar

Pavaratty

The new method should give more importance to other qualities of the candidate, apart from academic standards. It is the reflex of the candidate and not the thinking process that is tested now.

Apart from academic standards, a professional course candidate should have an aptitude towards the professionand moreover social commitment.

So, due weightage should be given for the performance in the qualifying examination; for extra curricular; and for general knowledge.

A.M. Hareendranathan

Irinjalakuda

The government’s plan to revamp the entrance exam system, even if at this late juncture, is most commendable. First of all, the minimum marks in qualifying examination should be raised to 75 per cent from 50 per cent. Another step to ensure credibility and quality is to give due weightage to marks of students who scored more than 80 per cent at the Plus Two level while calculating the final score in the entrance test. There should be a consolidation of total seats and uniformity in the entrance examinations conducted throughout the country. Curtailing the number of medical colleges is essential to ensure quality. The form of questions and syllabus has to be upgraded according to developments in society.

K.N. Baby

Farook College

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