GPAT fee rise serious financial burden on students, pharmacy colleges call to slash by 50%
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ move to increase
the exam fee has upset the students as it is a financial burden on
their parents. The Board conducts the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test
(GPAT). Pharmacy colleges have taken cognizance and called for a 50 per
cent decrease in the fees.
The communique from National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences stated that for the category such as General, OBC (other backward caste) and EWS (economically weaker section), the fee levied is Rs. 3,500 against Rs. 2,000 earlier. For the SC, ST (scheduled caste/tribe) and PWD (Person with Disabilities), the fee is Rs. 2,500 against Rs. 1,000 earlier.
Pharmacy colleges pointed out that exam fee hikes can indeed pose a significant challenge. Such increases can create additional monetary problems, potentially deterring some students from pursuing their career goals. It is crucial for the authorities to consider the broader impact of such fee adjustments and work towards ensuring accessibility and affordability for aspiring professionals.
According to Dr Kaushik Devaraju, president, Karnataka Registered Pharmacists Association, the recent hike has raised eyebrows among many students, who aspire to pursue a career in pharmacy.
While we understand the need for financial sustainability and quality maintenance of such examinations, the substantial rise in fees appears disproportionate and burdensome, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Education, particularly in fields like pharmacy, should be accessible to all deserving candidates regardless of their financial status, he added.
Noting that GPAT plays a pivotal role in determining admission to esteemed pharmacy institutions, Dr Devaraju said that it is imperative that the process remains inclusive and equitable. However, the exorbitant application fee threatens to deter talented individuals from applying, thereby limiting diversity and talent within the pharmacy profession.
Chiming in on a similar tone was Prof R Raveendra, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Cauvery College of Pharmacy, Mysuru and Charter President of Indian Pharmaceutical Association of Peenya branch, who said that interactions with many students who aspire to take up GPAT exam to get their PG admission with scholarship from Pharmacy Council of India/government authorities have said the fee is expensive
They also expressed that the GPAT exam will be held as a computer-based format and with no printed question paper or answer booklet. This has cut the expenses of stationery. In view of the same, we are insisting the authority of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences to reduce fees by 50% and help the students and lessen burden on parents as well, Prof Raveendra said.
Dr Devaraju urged the authorities responsible for arriving at this fee structure to reconsider their decision and strive for a more balanced approach that ensures accessibility without compromising the quality and integrity of the examination. Measures such as fee waivers or tiered pricing based on income could be explored to alleviate the financial burden on students while still maintaining the necessary resources for conducting the GPAT effectively.
In conclusion, it is essential to strike a balance between financial sustainability and accessibility to uphold the principles of fairness and equal opportunity in education. We hope our concerns, along with those of countless other students, will be taken into serious consideration, leading to a revision of the GPAT application fee for the betterment of aspiring pharmacists and the profession as a whole, Dr Devaraju said.
The communique from National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences stated that for the category such as General, OBC (other backward caste) and EWS (economically weaker section), the fee levied is Rs. 3,500 against Rs. 2,000 earlier. For the SC, ST (scheduled caste/tribe) and PWD (Person with Disabilities), the fee is Rs. 2,500 against Rs. 1,000 earlier.
Pharmacy colleges pointed out that exam fee hikes can indeed pose a significant challenge. Such increases can create additional monetary problems, potentially deterring some students from pursuing their career goals. It is crucial for the authorities to consider the broader impact of such fee adjustments and work towards ensuring accessibility and affordability for aspiring professionals.
According to Dr Kaushik Devaraju, president, Karnataka Registered Pharmacists Association, the recent hike has raised eyebrows among many students, who aspire to pursue a career in pharmacy.
While we understand the need for financial sustainability and quality maintenance of such examinations, the substantial rise in fees appears disproportionate and burdensome, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Education, particularly in fields like pharmacy, should be accessible to all deserving candidates regardless of their financial status, he added.
Noting that GPAT plays a pivotal role in determining admission to esteemed pharmacy institutions, Dr Devaraju said that it is imperative that the process remains inclusive and equitable. However, the exorbitant application fee threatens to deter talented individuals from applying, thereby limiting diversity and talent within the pharmacy profession.
Chiming in on a similar tone was Prof R Raveendra, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Cauvery College of Pharmacy, Mysuru and Charter President of Indian Pharmaceutical Association of Peenya branch, who said that interactions with many students who aspire to take up GPAT exam to get their PG admission with scholarship from Pharmacy Council of India/government authorities have said the fee is expensive
They also expressed that the GPAT exam will be held as a computer-based format and with no printed question paper or answer booklet. This has cut the expenses of stationery. In view of the same, we are insisting the authority of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences to reduce fees by 50% and help the students and lessen burden on parents as well, Prof Raveendra said.
Dr Devaraju urged the authorities responsible for arriving at this fee structure to reconsider their decision and strive for a more balanced approach that ensures accessibility without compromising the quality and integrity of the examination. Measures such as fee waivers or tiered pricing based on income could be explored to alleviate the financial burden on students while still maintaining the necessary resources for conducting the GPAT effectively.
In conclusion, it is essential to strike a balance between financial sustainability and accessibility to uphold the principles of fairness and equal opportunity in education. We hope our concerns, along with those of countless other students, will be taken into serious consideration, leading to a revision of the GPAT application fee for the betterment of aspiring pharmacists and the profession as a whole, Dr Devaraju said.
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