Amidst discussions among millions of students about the future of the NEET UG 2026 exams, Archana Vijayan's story demonstrates what it means to fight for the dream of becoming a doctor. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and told she could never study medicine. However, she refused to accept these limitations.
Today, Archana Vijayan is a student at the Government Medical College in Kottayam and the founder of the Prajahita Foundation. She actively advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and for inclusivity.
Her example serves as a reminder that the most serious obstacles are often created by the doubts of others, not by the exams themselves. The author of the story expresses hope that every deserving student will receive an equal chance to realize their aspirations.
Murli Manohar Joshi, a veteran and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former Union Minister, expressed support on Thursday for students protesting over the alleged leak of NEET examination materials. He stated that the students' concerns regarding the examination system are 'genuine' and should be addressed with empathy rather than force.
In a rare public statement from a senior BJP figure, Joshi also criticized the police actions against protesting students in Delhi this week. He characterized these actions as 'ruthless' and warned that such use of force could alienate significant segments of society from the government's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).
Joshi wrote on X: 'It is painful to see young students from different parts of the country gathered in the streets of New Delhi for several days. Their anxieties and concerns about the examination system are genuine and must be addressed with compassion and a desire to find a long-term solution.' He added that it was 'very painful to see even young girls treated so harshly.'
Calling for a more humane approach, Joshi emphasized: 'I sincerely hope this will not be viewed merely as a law and order issue to be solved by force.' He also cautioned that such actions 'will push significant sections of Indian society away from the national goal of Viksit Bharat.'
Joshi's statements came amid escalating political confrontation related to the alleged NEET material leak and the ongoing Monsoon Session in Parliament. The BJP accused the Congress of evading discussion on this matter in Parliament, despite the government's readiness to debate. BJP President Nitin Naib declared that the opposition is 'running away' from the discussion because its 'double standards' will be exposed.
Naib noted that the 'NDA government is fully prepared to hold discussions at all levels about the future of students and youth,' challenging the opposition to participate in debates on NEET and other student-related issues. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also confirmed that the Centre has already taken action against those accused of the alleged leak and remains committed to ensuring justice for students. She accused the Congress of promoting 'subversive politics' instead of participating in parliamentary discussions.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal urged the opposition not to politicize the issue, stating that the government would take 'the strictest possible measures' against those responsible for the material leaks.
Earlier that day, Prime Minister Modi made his first public comment on the current protest, announcing that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in the material leaks. Prime Minister Modi wrote on X: 'Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our youth! We have decided to create fast-track courts to ensure quick and strict punishment for those involved in the material leaks. I have instructed the concerned agencies and officials to take all necessary steps. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.'
Meanwhile, opposition parties continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, linking the issue to the alleged attack on protesting students. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the leaders of the INDIA bloc are heading to Gandhisamriti to show solidarity with students affected by the alleged material leak and injured during police action. Gandhi wrote on X: 'The students of India are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands.'
The opposition demanded Pradhan's resignation and a discussion under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha before agreeing to debates, while the government insisted on its readiness to discuss the issue without preconditions. This deadlock has repeatedly disrupted proceedings in both houses of Parliament.
A series of materials from True South Africa questions common perceptions of the South African education system, demonstrating how it has managed to adapt and develop amidst significant population increase.
South Africans often assess the education system based on direct experiences, such as overcrowded classrooms, excessive teacher workload, or schools struggling to accommodate a growing number of students. These problems are real and should not be ignored. However, they raise a question of comparison: relative to what?
Since 1994, South Africa's population has increased by more than 50%, reaching over 63 million people from approximately 40 million. Each additional million required the creation of schools, classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and spaces in universities and colleges. Therefore, a serious assessment of education must consider not only the pressure on the system but also its ability to cope with one of the fastest surges in demand in the country's history.
Statistics indicate that while the system is undoubtedly under strain, it is performing significantly better than public perception often suggests. The initial task of democratic South Africa was ensuring children's access to schooling, and this issue has largely been resolved. Currently, only about 3% of children aged seven to eighteen do not attend school, and the vast majority complete compulsory years of education. Thus, the national focus has shifted from accessibility to quality.
When analyzing classroom capacity, critics often point to overcrowding as a sign of systemic collapse. However, the national student-to-teacher ratio paints a more complex picture. During the democratic period, it fluctuated within a relatively narrow range of 29 to 33 students per teacher. These figures reflect constant pressure, but not uncontrolled degradation. If the recruitment of teachers had failed to keep pace with the growth in student numbers, these ratios would have risen sharply, but this did not happen.
Maintaining a generally stable student-to-teacher ratio while educating millions of additional children is proof of institutional strength. This means the government continued to appoint teachers, expand schools, and increase operational capacity solely to prevent further deterioration of conditions. Nevertheless, this does not mean every classroom is adequately staffed. National averages mask deep provincial disparities. The current student-to-teacher ratio varies from approximately 28 students per teacher in the Western Cape to around 33 in Limpopo, with several provinces falling in the 30 or 31 range. These differences are important because they directly affect the learning experience of students.
This principle applies to public spending as well. Contrary to the common belief that the government has abandoned education, the data suggests otherwise. Education continues to account for about one-fifth of total government expenditure, and basic education alone consumes approximately 14% of all government spending. This does not guarantee quality, as money itself does not ensure it, but it shows that education has remained one of the government's highest fiscal priorities throughout the democratic period.
Higher education shows a similar trend: more young South Africans now have access to university than ever before. This has inevitably intensified competition for places. Many applicants face rejection not because universities have become less accessible, but because demand has grown faster than capacity. Competition can feel like exclusion, but it is not the same thing.
The main takeaway from the available data is that the mandate of South African education has fundamentally changed. Thirty years ago, the priority was expanding access. Today, the priority is improving quality in a system that already covers almost every child. The report argues that reform must become more precise: strengthening teaching quality, eliminating provincial inequality, supporting weak schools, reducing pressure on students where it is greatest, and improving progression through the education system long before graduation.
This is not a call for complacency. Many students still leave school without adequate literacy and numeracy skills. Many schools continue to face infrastructure, management, and teacher shortages. Educational opportunities remain deeply unequal, and these shortcomings require urgent reforms. However, reform begins with accurate diagnosis. Countries whose education systems have truly collapsed do not support near-universal school enrollment while simultaneously educating a population more than twice as large. They do not maintain a generally stable student-to-teacher ratio over three decades of rapid demographic growth, nor do they continue to allocate one-fifth of government spending to education.
The South African education system is not where it should be, but it is not where many South Africans portray it to be. It is a system under constant pressure, but it is a system that continues to function and retains the institutional capacity for improvement. Therefore, we face a choice not between complacency and despair, but between allowing perception to dictate policy, or allowing facts to determine it. The data shows that South Africa has not exhausted its educational potential; the current task is to realize it.
Bollywood star Salman Khan commented on the leakage of examination materials, calling the issue extremely serious. He expressed satisfaction that students united to improve the education system, and their parents supported them.
Posting a message on his Instagram account, Salman Khan praised the students for holding a peaceful protest but expressed concern over reports of violence. He wrote: 'It was such a peaceful movement, I am so sad that it had to take a violent turn. My heart goes out to those students and their families who were affected. The material leak is a very serious problem, and I am glad to know and see that the children of our country have united for a better education system, and their parents have supported them.'
Salman added that he highly values the stance of students who demonstrate dedication, sincerity, and a desire to study hard to build their future and create a more educated India. He noted that this protest is a correct way to address the issue and emphasized that the students acted peacefully. He called this generation ambitious and motivated towards education, which will make India proud.
The actor insisted that this movement should not take on a political character. He stated that only the students themselves should receive recognition for their efforts and expressed confidence that the government would support them and help create a stronger education system. He called it a mutually beneficial situation and offered prayers for a positive resolution. Salman also opined that India should become a global educational center, and education should become the next trend attracting international students.
The actor's statements came amid protests related to NEET material leaks. Activist Sonam Wangchuk demanded from the Central Assurance Body no 'punitive or retaliatory legal action' against protesters who joined the 'Sansad Chalo' campaign of the Cockroach Janata Party, as a condition for ending his indefinite fast.
