Colleges delay I PUC onboarding for NEET hostellers, begin classes this week

Mangaluru: Several private pre-university colleges that delayed the start of I PUC classes to accommodate NEET aspirants in hostels have begun classes this week, with some set to start in a day or two.

Though, as per the govt, classes began on May 25, some private PU colleges reportedly delayed onboarding to accommodate candidates for repeat coaching. While most colleges commenced the academic year recently, a few postponed reopening because their hostels were still housing students preparing for the NEET examination. Some institutions, however, ran classes in parallel, citing sufficient accommodation.

Narendra L Nayak, chairman of Expert Group of Institutions and state secretary of KUPMA, told TOI that a total of 600-plus students who appeared for NEET earlier returned to the campus for recoaching. As a result, we had to delay the onboarding of I PU students, and it will start from this week in phases. The classes for the II PU commenced on time. While the NEET students have returned home, the institution will continue online coaching until the exam.

Excellent Science and Commerce PU College, Moodubidire, will start both I PU and II PU classes from June 5. “Currently, we have accommodated NEET candidates for repeat coaching. They will leave the campus in a day or two, after which we will accommodate our regular students,” a spokesperson said.

At Alva’s PU College, Moodubidire, classes for I PU, II PU and NEET candidates are being held simultaneously. Vivek Alva, managing trustee of Alva’s Education Foundation, said they delayed onboarding for a few days and began classes on June 1. “Currently, our campus has both first- and second-year PU students as well as NEET candidates preparing for re-exam, which will be held on June 21,” he said.

Sources said colleges could not delay commencement any further as it would affect students and disrupt orientation programmes and other academic activities.