Candidates are to be tested for their English comprehension when they write the popular Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges in Karnataka (COMED-K) tests for seeking admission under the management quota in private professional colleges from next year.
This proposal is to discourage students seeking to take up professional courses years after doing their Final PU, says a Deccan Herald report. It is said that there are coaching centres, particularly in UP and Bihar, that specialize in offering crash course to those who want to appear for such entrance tests.
The thinking that English knowledge is indispensable, particularly for wannabe professionals, is perfect and was long overdue. But to single out some COMED-K aspirants just because they did their PU many years back is not right, for, some of them, at least, may be serious candidates who may not have been able to pursue their studies without a break for whatever distressing circumstances. Worthy candidates must be there even in UP, Bihar, or any other state. It is singularly prejudicial to their interest to accord them negative weightage – as is being proposed – for the only reason that there was a gap in their academic career. The COMED-K tests are always there for selection of the right candidates and to cast aspersions on their worthiness is to question the foolproof nature of the tests itself.
Moreover, it is very well known that students aspiring for professional courses do so to the neglect of English studies. Their entire focus is only on the core subjects. Deeper focus on three of the four core subjects is not unheard of either, with engineering-aspirants relegating biology to unimportance or medical-aspirants throwing mathematics out of focus. (Even a few of those who paid equal importance to all the subjects, including the languages, did so with an eye on the ranks. For some, it is question of reserving their options until a later day: Do well in either of the fourth subject and then decide which course to take). Anyway, fact remains that acquisition of knowledge is seldom the priority of majority students. So, why discriminate against those desirous of pursuing their studies after a lapse.
Further, nothing can stop crash English courses being introduced (though we all know that such training centres are already there and all over). If a student can have a tailor-made course in physics, chemistry or any other subject, he can also have a similar course in English as well.
However, introduction of English test would be welcome for its own sake. It will encourage English learning and help our future professionals with felicity of the emerging world language. One can ignore English, communication English, only to one’s peril. It hardly matters who one is – professional or not. English is as essential as swimming. It is indispensable if one has to make the most of the ocean of global opportunities.
