KARACHI:
The aspirations of becoming a doctor are withering away. MDCAT, once a beacon of hope, has transformed into a lucrative business venture, exacerbating the plight of underprivileged students. The recent hike in MDCAT fees from Rs6,000 to Rs8,000 has further entrenched the socio-economic disparities, making it formidable for marginalised students to pursue their dreams.
As a MDCAT student myself, I have experienced the struggles firsthand. Despite receiving a collective support of Rs30,000 per month from my family and others, the burden of living expenses in the city is overwhelming. The announcement of the fee hike has shattered my dreams, and I’m not alone in this suffering. Over 200,000 students from villages have migrated to cities, living in hostels with meager resources, and battling health issues. Their dedication to learning is unwavering, but the PMDC’s fee hike decision has left them in a quandary.
An overwhelming majority of these students hail from underprivileged backgrounds, and the fee hike has rendered them incapable of affording even their living expenses, let alone the exam fee. I implore the stakeholders and education champions to intervene, awakening the institutions from their slumber, and salvaging the youth from the clutches of depression and frustration. If this trend persists, the dream of education in our country will remain an elusive fantasy.
Mehboob Malik
Panjgur
