Jeddah Kerala Pouravali Petition to allocate a center for NEET, JEE exams in Jeddah to E.T. Mohammed Basheer MP

Jeddah: In order to facilitate higher education for Indian students from Western Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah Kerala Pouravali ’ Association office bearers have submitted a petition to E.T. Mohammed Basheer MP, demanding that the National Testing Agency (NTA) take immediate action to allot new exam centers in Jeddah for NEET-UG, JEE, CUET exams. A large number of Indian expatriates in the western region of Saudi Arabia, which number about one million, are preparing for medical and engineering entrance exams. Currently, there is only one NTA exam center in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Having to travel 1,300 to 1,400 kilometers from cities in the western region, including Jeddah, to go to Riyadh to write the exam creates severe financial and mental difficulties for students and their parents. Since entrance exams are often held at the same time as board exams, traveling such a long distance negatively affects the studies and performance of children. In addition, the lack of availability of travel tickets and the parents not getting leave from their employers are a big problem. More than 500 students from about 10 schools in the Western Region under the Indian Consulate in Jeddah prepare for such competitive exams every year. Just as the exams are conducted under the supervision of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, all the facilities are available in Jeddah to conduct the exams smoothly under the control of the Jeddah Consulate. Considering the fact that more Indian professionals are coming to this region with the development of the ‘NEOM’ mega city project, the petition demanded that the central government intervene to allow NTA exam centers in Abah and Tabuk in addition to Jeddah. The presenter team included Jeddah Kerala Pouravali ‘ Association Chairman Kabir Kondotty, Jeddah Kerala pouravali ‘ Association Executive Member Koissan Beeran, and journalist Waheed Zaman.