US firm rejects conditions of govt, NEET training in limbo

In the last academic year, more than 25,000 class XII students of government and government aided schools were given free NEET coaching in over 300 study centres across the state by roping in private companies. However, only a few students managed to just pass the national level examination.

After the dull show by state students, the School Education Department was planning to improve the quality of NEET training this year by entering into an agreement with an American company.

A senior official from the School Education Department said that last month first round of talks was held with authorities and experts from a US organisation in the city. “They (US organisation) presented a detailed proposal, including consultancy charges, about their training methods”, he added.

He said according to the plan, experts from the company would be staying here for about six months to give NEET training to the students across 412 coaching centres in all the districts.

“The training included video, practical and counselling sessions to help student face the exams with ease”, he said and alleged “however, the US company did not accept our conditions, including travelling to rural areas, to take classes.”

Stating that still the negotiations were on with the US experts, the official said that the government was talking with similar companies based in Canada to give NEET training to students.

As already about 15,000 students of government and government aided schools have registered for NEET coaching this year, the government had also established four resident coaching centres in major cities, including Chennai.

This year, the free government NEET coaching for the students started onlyin October.

With the government still negotiating with the American firm, students have only four months left to get complete coaching as the NEET exam for 2020 has been scheduled for May 3.