AFTER so many controversial episodes related to the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) in the last few years, it was being hoped that this time the entrance test for medical colleges would be conducted in a fair, just and transparent manner by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), but it was not so.

There is large-scale protest across the country regarding the irregularities witnessed during the test. In Balochistan, the test was to start at 10am, but it could only get going at 12.30pm due to mismanagement and inefficiency.

As per the relevant rules, students of any province may sit MDCAT in any province, but can claim seats only on the basis of their home districts. This is an unfair rule because the test pattern and standards across the country vary. This year, a number of students from well-to-do families in Balochistan rushed to Islamabad to take the test, which is often much easier compared to the test conducted in Balochistan. Naturally, these individuals will claim seats in medical colleges on the basis of their home districts in Balochistan.

To add insult to injury, the students who sat the test in Islamabad are awarded six additional grace marks, but the same privilege is denied to the students in Balochistan. Needless to say, the probability of those students who carry the additional marks is greater to grab the medical seats than those unfortunate students who are deprived of such a privilege. The decision to award grace marks is creating division and inequalities across the country. This policy should be reviewed immediately.

A viable and acceptable strategy should be devised in addition to reforming the existing MDCAT structure to revive the trust of the public and bring more transp-arency in the system. There are two workable options to be reviewed by the PMDC. Either it should establish a uniform entrance test for medical colleges all over the country, or students of one province should not be allowed to sit the test in any other province.

Finally, the injustice done to the students of Balochistan should be corrected, and they should also be given equal grace marks if not more to balance the scale of justice. They must be awarded justice because this is the question of their career and years of hard work.

Asma Qasim
Quetta

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024