By Prarthana Mitra
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has announced free coaching services for further studies in specialised fields such as engineering and medical sciences. In coordination with the National Testing Agency (NTA), the centre plans to turn all its test practice centres into coaching centres in the coming year.
The country’s apex testing organisation conducts autonomous and self-sustained entrance examinations for admission or fellowship in higher educational institutions. The NTA currently has 2,697 test practice centres, which will become functional coaching centres from September 8, according to the MHRD, although courses will begin in May 2019.
How can you register?
The online registration process begins on September 1, said an MHRD official according to media reports. Aspirants can register for slots at a centre of their choice, through NTA’s mobile application or website which will be launched in September. The mobile application will further help an aspirant identify the centre closest to their location.
Registered students will admissible for mock tests including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-UG (NEET-UG) and the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET). Registrations will continue till September 30.
What does this aim to achieve?
The move is aimed primarily at meritorious students from rural and semi-rural backgrounds, who cannot afford the specialised training required to ace examinations like JEE, NEET, and UGC-NET.
The ministry official said, The plan is to take these centres beyond just practice tests and turn them into teaching centres. They will not charge any fees and so will be especially helpful for talented students from sections where aspirations are high but private coaching is impossible due to financial constraints.
How will they achieve this?
For starters, NTA will conduct a mock test for all students appearing for the JEE-Main examination scheduled in January 2019, after which they will be able to analyse and assess their performance with mentors at these institutes. After the recruitment of teachers is complete, these centres can also help students out with specific problems and expert tips.
This is a welcome step to replace the hegemony of private coaching centres, which are too expensive for scores of Indian students and exclude them from accessing the education and career of their choice.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius