MDCAT 2020 on Nov 29: SHC rejects petition to delay exam

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday rejected the petition of students to postpone the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT 2020) scheduled for November 29 (Sunday).

Students had been demanding the authorities concerned to reschedule the test because of the growing number of coronavirus positive cases in the country. 

In its decision, the court stressed that students should strictly adhere to the government's coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the examination halls, stating that the test will be held per schedule.

Not only the students but politicians had also opposed the decision of the authorities to hold the test despite closing down all educational institutes in the country in the wake of the COVID-19 surge.

Read more: No change in MDCAT 2020 date: SHC dismisses contempt of court application against PMC

Politicians back calls for delay 

PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz severely criticised the decision and called for retracting the decision.

"While all educational institutions are closed and exams are being postponed, MDCAT students are being forced to appear for NMDCAT test by PMC. Isn't [the] safety of medical students & [the] safety of their families not as important? Why the discrimination? Why imperil them & their families?" Maryam Nawaz wrote on Twitter.

Social-activist turned politician Jibran Nasir tweeted that politicians tried their best to present their arguments against the decision.

He urged students to continue studying for the test, which is scheduled to take place on November 29.

"Don't stop studying for MDCAT on 29th Nov. Court proceedings are not an excuse to be complacent and not prepare for exams since no directions have been given to stop the test on 29th as of now. Hence you are responsible for your own decision whether to study or not," Nasir tweeted.

'Zero risk'

On the other hand, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had said that holding the MDCAT is not harmful despite the surging number of coronavirus cases in the country.

"For those comparing MDCAT examination [one exam, of 2.5 hours] with the overall closure of the education sector, here is a graphic to put things in perspective!" Tweeted Dr Faisal. 

He added that no activity carries zero risks but clarified that during epidemics, risk mitigation — a strategy to prepare for and lessen the effects of threats — is done.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Council issued a statement on Wednesday and announced that a special exam would be held on December 13 for students who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus

Read more: MDCAT 2020: PMC to hold special exam for COVID-19 positive students