PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has turned down the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s request to reduce the fee for the September 22 Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), citing high costs as the reason.

“We understand the point formally raised by the KP government is valid but let me tell you that we’re not earning anything from the entry test. The fee charged from the candidates is minimal and necessary to cover expenses, especially when it is conducted at the district level to save students from additional travel costs,” PMDC registrar Dr Shaista Faisal told Dawn.

On August 6, KP higher education minister Meena Khan Afridi wrote a letter to PMDC president Dr Rizwan Taj, seeking a reduction in the MDCAT fee to “help poor candidates to take the test to join the medical profession.”

“The PMDC has enhanced the medical colleges’ entrance exam fee from Rs6,000 to Rs8,000. We understand the importance of maintaining high standards and covering the necessary expenditure of the test.

“However, there are complaints about this high fee. We’ve learnt from reliable sources that the actual expenditure incurred on a candidate’s test ranges between Rs1,500 and Rs2,000,” he said in the letter.

Insists can’t accept KP govt’s request due to high MDCAT costs

The minister insisted that his province had been severely affected by an endless wave of conflict and instability due to which a considerable population lives below the poverty line and a hike in the MDCAT fee was an undue financial burden on students.

He added that many talented students from poor backgrounds were discouraged from taking the test to pursue a career in medicine.

“I request the PMDC to reduce the fee to the lowest possible level to enable poor students to sit the test,” he said.

Mr Afridi also said the PMDC’s support in that respect would not only do away with the financial stress of many families but also contribute towards the development of a more equitable education system.

“I hope that my request will find receptive ears to make medical education accessible to all,” he said in the letter.

The PMDC holds MDCAT through six public sector universities at the district level in all provinces, according to the PDMC registrar.

“Last year, the universities weren’t ready to be part of the test at the fee of Rs6,000 per student due to higher costs,” Dr Shaista told Dawn.

She said the PMDC purchased question papers from the National University of Medical Sciences, with a lot of stationery used during the test.

The registrar added that the papers were later sent to the universities, while the PMDC staff visited examination halls to ensure transparency.

“Travel costs and test arrangements are some of the areas where we spend almost Rs8,000 per student,” she said.

Dr Shaista said the MDCAT didn’t generate any income, with appearing in it being a “matter of honour” for students. “We’re charging candidates the minimum charges,” she said.

The PMDC registrar said if every province had just one MDCAT centre, it would overburden candidates financially as they would have to travel for long hours to reach the respective centres.

“We organise the test in the home districts of the candidates for their convenience, “ she said.

Dr Shaista said the PMDC focused on measures to ensure quality education by holding the test in a transparent manner for admissions to medical and dental colleges “purely on merit.”

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2024