Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Opposes NEET and Expands Breakfast Scheme for Students
Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
On July 15, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin spoke out against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exam 2024, stating that the entire nation is now opposing the test, following Tamil Nadu’s lead. He also criticized the New Education Policy, calling both NEET and the policy unnecessary.
The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5, 2024, has faced allegations of cheating and impersonation. During an event to inaugurate the expansion of the Morning Tiffin scheme for school students, Stalin emphasized that nothing should hinder the education of Tamil Nadu students, including hunger, NEET, or the Union Government’s New Education Policy.
Stalin noted that the Supreme Court and various state chief ministers are now questioning NEET, a stance Tamil Nadu has held for some time. He accused the Union government of politicizing the Emergency period and challenged them to revert education to the State list from the concurrent list.
Stalin reiterated that education is an invaluable asset and that the state government is committed to overcoming obstacles to ensure students can focus on their studies. He highlighted the extension of the ‘Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme’ to include government-aided school students, benefiting over 223,000 students.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also criticized NEET, calling it a scandal and advocating for states to have the right to conduct their own entrance exams for medical colleges. The National Testing Agency, which conducted the exam, has faced significant criticism and legal challenges.
