Yasir Baloch Sajidi
In a recent incident that rocked the academic world, the Pakistan Medical Dental College (PMDC) conducted its entry test on the 10th of September, a day that was supposed to be a culmination of thousands of students’ dedication and knowledge. However, instead of being a showcase of their hard work, this event became shrouded in controversy, with concerns rapidly spreading across various social media platforms. From different regions of Pakistan, students participating in entry tests conducted by institutions like NUST for Balochistan, EATA for KPK, UHS for Punjab, and SZABMU for Sindh voiced their apprehensions. It became apparent that what appeared to be a careless administration had left a trail of doubts and questions in its wake. At the heart of this issue was the alleged use of digital devices, such as mobile phones and Bluetooth headsets, along with other illicit materials during the tests. For students who had invested their time and energy preparing for medical college admissions, this situation felt like a betrayal of their hard work and dedication. Over the past four years, countless hours with family had been sacrificed in pursuit of the dream of entering medical school. While the intensity of the competition might justify such sacrifices, one nagging question remained. Had anyone considered the consequences of allowing digital materials in an environment where students had dedicated themselves to rigorous, honest study throughout the year? This question may seem unjust to those who never underwent such a rigorous preparation process. However, it strikes at the very core of meritocracy. How can we gauge the true merit of candidates when the integrity of the testing environment itself is in question? The responsibility for this unsettling situation rests heavily on the institutions that administered these entry tests. Describing their actions as careless is an understatement; it raises concerns about the integrity of our educational institutions and the sanctity of merit-based admissions. Literary devices, such as irony, juxtaposition, and rhetorical questions, underscore the gravity of this situation. The dedicated students who find their hard work overshadowed by the potential misuse of digital devices highlight the pressing issues regarding fairness in the admissions process and the future of meritocracy. Moreover, the recent events surrounding entry tests and the alleged use of digital devices have cast a long shadow over the concept of merit in academic admissions. It is imperative that institutions take immediate action to restore confidence in the system, ensuring that the hard work and dedication of deserving students are recognized and upheld. The future of our educational system and the principles of merit upon which it stands depend on it. The recent PMDC entry test has not only raised eyebrows but has also ignited a sense of injustice among students, particularly those facing the perplexing issue of NUST’s a body considered for the BUMHS test. As a concerned student, I have initiated a movement using the hashtag #ReconductBUMHS2023 on social media platforms, aiming to amplify the voices of countless students who feel unheard and ignored. The decision to entrust NUST, primarily an engineering university, with conducting the entry test for Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences (BUMHS), has sparked outrage and legitimate concerns. This unconventional decision carries far-reaching implications for the fairness and integrity of the examination process. The inclusion of NUST as the testing body for BUMHS has left students feeling like pawns in a chess game, uncertain of the rules and the motives behind such a move. Furthermore, the use of social media as a platform for raising concerns is a powerful testament to the frustration and desperation felt by students. It has become a digital battleground where their voices find unity and strength. However, it’s disheartening to note that instead of addressing these concerns, government officials seem to have adopted an indifferent stance. The silencing of these voices is particularly concerning in a democratic society that values freedom of expression. The silence on these matters underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and open dialogue within the education system. However the inclusion of NUST in the BUMHS entry test and the subsequent movement on social media underline the urgency of addressing students’ concerns. The questions raised by these students extend beyond a single test; they touch upon the principles of fairness, equity, and the right to be heard. The voices of students deserve acknowledgment and respect as we strive for a just and equitable education system. This entry test has emerged as a whirlwind of concerns, each spinning its own tale of injustice and uncertainty. As students, we find ourselves at the center of this tempest, grappling with two primary issues that have cast a shadow over our pursuit of academic excellence: the insidious influence of digital devices and the perplexing inclusion of questions that wander far from the syllabus. The first concern, the clandestine use of digital devices during the test, can be likened to a digital Pandora’s box, one that threatens to unravel the fabric of meritocracy. In a world where technology shapes our lives, the intrusion of mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, and other illicit tools during the test raises fundamental questions about the sanctity of the examination process. It’s akin to a stealthy infiltrator disrupting the harmony of an orchestra, leaving dissonance in its wake. Simultaneously, the inclusion of questions that seemed to exist in a parallel universe far from our syllabus has left us students bewildered. This issue can be portrayed as a labyrinth of perplexity, where the paths we had diligently trodden in our preparation led us to unfamiliar territory. As diligent scholars, we had ventured through the syllabus, only to be met with questions that felt like riddles without answers, a conundrum that left us disheartened. Amidst this storm, I, along with fellow students, have chosen to raise our voices in a manner befitting the digital age. The use of the hashtag #ReconductBUMHS2023 on social media platforms has become our rallying cry, a digital megaphone to amplify our concerns and seek justice. It may seem like a rebellion to some, but in essence, it’s a plea for fairness, a call to restore balance in the educational ecosystem.