He was lost in some deep thought with a pencil between his teeth. Autumn had begun and the yellow leaves were falling from the trees in Bagh Jinnah, turning the greenery yellow. The sounds of the birds sitting on the trees were breaking the deep silence in this atmosphere. But he was indifferent to the whole scene, sitting on a bench near the cafeteria, a short distance from the Quaid-i-Azam Library. I walked up to him. At first glance I thought he was an artist but the books he kept and his age made it difficult to form an opinion about him. I saw him and went ahead.After some time I reached there again and he was sitting on the same bench, absorbed in thoughts. He didn’t like the cold air, the yellow leaves, the smell of the soil and the chirping of the birds. I couldn’t stop myself and sat next to him. A seventeen-eighteen-year-old boy and so worried? The story was beyond my understanding. Started the conversation to get her attention. The story that the boy told next, was certainly very painful.
The dream of serving the nation and the hope of moving forward is given. Children move forward with this dream. These children have only one wish that they grow up to become doctors. These kids try to pass with distinction in every class, improve their grades so that they can get into medical college. For many years, a separate syllabus was used in each province for medical college examinations in the country.The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council was established to supervise them, which has now been dissolved and handed over to the Pakistan Medical Commission, while the responsibility for examinations was given to the National University of Health Sciences. As soon as the new system took over the reins, new experiments began. At this time, one and a half lakh students have experienced these experiences. Desperate about their future, these boys and girls are suffering from severe pain. FSE and A Level students across the country are currently suffering from severe mental anguish.
Students who were dreaming of becoming a doctor, to realize which they prepared well in FSE and A-level exams, despite getting good marks, they are worried about getting admission in medical college. The main reason for their concern is the changes made by the PMDC in the examination procedure and the syllabus for admission to medical colleges.According to the law of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), this year for the first time students will give a single entry test across the country. According to the law, everyone has to take this exam under the same syllabus. But the problem is that until today the curriculum of each province and each institution has been different. Sona Sahaga PMC has announced the date of November 15 for the exams but has released the syllabus now, when the exams are less than a month away. Students fear that what they have been studying for six months will put their future at stake if nothing comes up in the exam.
The PMC issued a statement on October 5, in which among other information, students were told that NAMs i.e. National University of Medical Sciences will conduct the examinations for medical entrance test and all students were issued by NAMs. Prepare according to the given syllabus. The decision drew backlash from all provinces, citing possible differences in topics in the curriculum. The PMC then announced on October 7 that no section or subject will be included in the Medical and Dental College Entrance Test which is separate or additional to the syllabus at the provincial level. However, the students expressed their displeasure over the syllabus that was issued. According to him, this syllabus is actually the syllabus of the National University of Medical Sciences, which has been copied.
In the government’s attempt to bring medical education in Pakistan to international standards, appointments within the PMC have been made on ‘political’ grounds and rash decisions are being made which are being changed time and again. , which is causing mental agony for students.
There are only five demands of the students to protest against the government’s actions. The students are demanding that provincial M CAT or entry test be restored.If provincial tests are not possible, a common syllabus should be given under the auspices of the University of Health Sciences, i.e. a syllabus should be given which is in accordance with the syllabus of all the four provinces. Nimz University has announced the date of the entrance test but the students are demanding that the date of the test be postponed so that they can get a chance to prepare for the test. The fourth demand of the students is related to unequal distribution of marks. According to the students, the FSC exams could not be held this year due to the corona virus and the boards passed the students by giving three percent grace marks. This decision is tantamount to injustice to the students who passed last year.
The Pakistan Medical Commission has been controversial since its inception. There are young doctors who refuse to obey the rules of the commission. As far as the members of the commission are concerned, it is more an attempt to reward themselves than to improve the medical field. There are also questions on the National Listening Test. Many students are busy trying to leave the country due to the attitude of PMC. The PMC was supposed to conduct the first entry test after its establishment, but controversial decisions in the very first exam have cast doubt on the institution’s role.There is a need for the government to include medical experts in the commission instead of rewarding themselves and decisions should be made in the public interest. If the government cannot improve the medical sector, then a law should be made, banning medical education.
