The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is planning to relax the cut-off mark for admission in private medical and dental colleges for the ongoing academic year (2013-2014).
Previously, the cut-off mark was set at 120 for both medical and dental colleges; but now it would be set at 105 medical 100 for dental colleges. Moreover the last date for admission would extended until January 31.
Sources said the final decision would be taken soon after a meeting at the health ministry preside over by new Health Minister Md Nasim. The ministry has extended the last date for admission three times already.
The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that Professor Dr ABM Abdul Hannan, director (medical education) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), on January 7 sent a proposal to the ministry to set the new cut- off mark and to extend the date of admission.
Professor Dr Khondokar Md Sifayetullah, director general of DGHS, told the Dhaka Tribune that because of the political unrest, most of the private medical colleges could not fill up the pool of seats and hence facing huge financial losses.
Professor Shah Md Selim, secretary general of the Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA), said around 30% seats in most of the private medical and dental colleges had still been vacant.
The public and private medical colleges in the country enroll students on the basis of the results of one common admission test. The dental colleges – both public and private – also have their common tests.
These tests carry 100 marks for the written examination plus 100 marks for the weights of the HSC and SSC results. Out of the latter 100, HSC results carry 60 marks and SSC 40.
A grade point average (GPA) of 5 in HSC equals 60 marks while a GPA 5 in SSC equals 40. A candidate must have an aggregate GPA of 8 from the two exams, which must not include any GPA of less than 3.5.
Seeking anonymity, several medical education experts have said most of the private medical and dental colleges are not getting meritorious students. In order to take admission at any private medical and dental college, a students must be able to pay huge amounts of money. Therefore, just appearing in the merit list is not the main requirement.
According to DGHS, at present there are 54 private medical colleges and 18 private dental colleges in the country. Over the last two to three months, 11 more private medical colleges got primary and administrative approvals.
Seeking anonymity, several officials said the number of medical and dental colleges was rising day by day. Most of these colleges are getting approval out of political considerations without fulfilling the minimum requirements.