Explanation of educational equity among Medical Sciences students: evaluation of Medical Sciences students opinions and experiences

Educational equity is one of the most challenging issues in education. Creating a learning environment without stress, promoting students to excellence, justice in educational regulations, providing background to be skilled and prepared for future job are some of elements of educational equity. The aim of this study was to explain the educational equity from the perspective of medical sciences students. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were performed with 50 students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Participants included into the study according maximum variation and purposeful sampling method. The data collected by individual semi-structured interviews till data saturation achieved. At least, two open ended questions were asked from all of the participants "what comes to your mind when I say educational equity? Do you remember any situations or conditions that you felt there is or not educational equity? Interviews were transcribed line by line and were analyzed according to "content analysis approach". Verbal informed consent obtained from the participants for taking in research and voice recording. "No superiority of a student over the others" was the main theme emerged in this study. "Evaluation and teaching methods of faculties" were one of common concern of the students. They believed that those are the factors which make arise doubts and questions on respecting educational equity. Students believed that every student, despite gender, ethnicity, self-confidence, academic major, appearance and social encounter has his/her own specific status and if these criteria get involve in student assessment, the educational equity will be challenged. Equity means equal access to all of educational opportunities regardless of field of study, ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, average, student conduct, dressing style, makeup, and other demographic and personality factors. So that, all of the students can access to the facilities for developing, motivation to reach the goal and be capable, efficient and skilled for their future career.