PG Medical Students Protest Change in Merit Order by Medical Education Commission
The Medical Education Commission's recent changes to the merit order for postgraduate (PG) level medical education has led to widespread protests from students. The students allege that the Commission is advancing the admission process by mixing the merit order. As a result, a situation of conflict has arisen between the students and the Commission.
The All Nepal National Free Student's Union-ANNFSU, a student organization close to CPN-UML, has been leading the protests. They have been demanding that the admission process be corrected and that the meritocracy list drawn up by the Commission be followed.
The Commission has denied any wrongdoing and said that the process has not been progressed. They also claimed that since the matter is under consideration in court, the misinformation is being spread and character assassination is being done.
The situation escalated on Sunday when the Commission premises were vandalized and set on fire during a protest by Aneraswaviyyu, the student-led movement. The Commission has warned that they will take necessary action against such activities.
The Commission conducted the Integrated Entrance Examination for Postgraduate Medical Education in 2079 Poush 2 and 4. The results were published on 4 and 6 Poush 2079, and the priority list was published online on 7 Poush and 12 Falgun 2079.
However, the Supreme Court issued an interim order that priority should be determined for student selection according to the old matching system. The Commission amended the medical education integrated entrance examination and student admission procedure 2079, but the Supreme Court ordered that the matching process should be carried forward through the old process.
Despite the case still being under consideration in court, the Commission published the open side matching schedule, class start date and first admission list. The students protested the arbitrary admission of students and filed a contempt case against the Commission for not implementing the interim order given by the Supreme Court.
The Commission has demanded that those responsible for the damage to public property be brought under the law, and necessary action be taken. They have also warned against damaging public property, making false and defamatory statements, and producing content that causes character assassination or personal defamation.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between the Medical Education Commission and postgraduate medical students in Nepal is due to a change in the merit order. The matter is under consideration in court, and until then, the Commission has been warned against any unnecessary actions. The students have demanded that the meritocracy list be followed, and they have been protesting to correct the admission process.
Published on 25th April 2023
