An Ordinary Citizen

Centralised admission test for private medical colleges in Bangladesh- a positive step October 30, 2009

The Government has taken decision to organise the admission tests for MBBS in private medical colleges directly under the control of itself through Directorate of Heath Service. There are 40 private medical colleges working in Bangladesh against 17 Govt. Medical Colleges. Till last year, the admission in private medical colleges was controlled by individual colleges though the admission in govt. medical colleges were conducted through a single admission test on the same day throughout the country over the years.

There are allegations of massive irregularities and corruptions regarding the admission in private medical colleges.

Govt. also restrict the admission fees in the private medical colleges from 5 lac to 8 lac. This will also prevent the private medical college authorities to take exuberent fees and to give admission to the irregular students in exchange of excess money.

The writer rather advocates the introduction of payment of fees in installments on semester basis in private medical colleges so that more students get the opportunity for studying medicine in private medical colleges.

The system of paying on semester/term basis will also help the students to quit the study if one does not find medical studies suitable for his/her career. In the present system, there is little scope for the students to make his own choice- the financial investment on the part of the parents or guardians make it obligatory to continue the burden despite his limitations and emotiona detachment. The present system also creates an obligation on the teachers and administrtion to somehow passover their students despite their deficiency in academic attainment. In the long run, it only compromises the quality of doctors in Bangladesh.

The writer also advocates the introduction of same centralised system for admission in post graduate courses of MD and MS in different medical colleges in Bangladesh. We are observing with sorrow that over the last few years the admission in post graduate courses in Bangladesh become so much politicised that in future the life of the people and patrons alike will be in danger in the hands of these so-called medical specialists.

The writer has also reservation about the number of private medical colleges. The goverment should restrict the number of these private institutions and mantain the necessary stardard of education and service there.

By now, we appreciate the present step of the Government for centralised admission test in private medical colleges and hope that it would be a good positive step in reorganising the chaotic academic condition in the private medical colleges in Bangladesh.

An ordinary citizen