Karnataka: Govt PU colleges make a plea after MBBS setback

Bengaluru: Only 46 students from government-run pre-university colleges were able to get medical seats this year in the state, prompting experts to pitch for integrated coaching that is offered by private institutions.

Of the 46, 19 students got seats at government medical colleges and five opted for seats under the private quota due to low ranking in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). In 2024, 64 students from government PU colleges had bagged MBBS seats.

The poor record comes despite the state government's decision to offer online coaching for students to attempt competitive examinations conducted for admissions to various professional courses including NEET, JEE and KCET.

This has intensified the demand to allow integrated coaching at all the colleges.

Supreeth BR, an academician, said that just because the government is restricting PU colleges from offering integrated coaching for professional courses did not stop private tutors from doing so.

"It is high time the government allowed all colleges, including government ones, to offer coaching for professional courses. Those sending their children to private colleges are able to provide coaching from private coaching centres, but what about those enrolled at government colleges," asked Supreeth.

According to experts, online coaching will not be as effective as offline.

"In the offline mode, it is a two-way interactive class, easy for students to understand and clear doubts if any. If regular teachers are not ready to conduct integrated classes, let the government hire expert teachers," said a principal of a government PU college in South Bengaluru.

Experts even said that introduction of integrated coaching will not just help state board students excel in competitive exams, it will also put an end to the tuition mafia.

"Even now some private PU colleges offer integrated coaching in association with private tutors, but they don't allow students to attend regular PUC classes," said a principal of another private PU college.

AH Ninge Gowda, President, Karnataka State PU Lecturers Association, said the intention of the government to offer online coaching is "good" but it has "failed to yield results".

"Online mode will not reach students effectively; instead, we stress offline face-to-face mode for better results," said Gowda.