From January, attendance compulsory for JNU students
What's the story
Delhi's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has made student attendance compulsory from January 2018, inviting sharp criticism from all quarters.
According to a Hindustan Times report, The decision was taken on December 1 during an academic council meeting. It will come into effect from the winter semester of 2018, and is applicable for all students — undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars.
Details
Minimum attendance requirement not decided yet
As per a circular issued by the administration on December 22, the minimum attendance requirement has not been worked out yet.
However, the JNU vice-chancellor has appointed a five-teacher committee to frame the guidelines necessary for an attendance system and its successful implementation.
The panel, which was informed on Tuesday, is yet to hold its first meeting.
Other side
'Attendance issue was never discussed in the meeting'
Contradicting the university administration, the JNU students' union (JNUSU) claims that no such decision was taken during the December 1 meeting.
Claiming that the move has been made without informing or discussing with students, JNUSU vice president Simone Zoya Khan told Hindustan Times that the issue was neither on the meeting agenda nor was it ever raised.
Reaction
A 'regressive Tughlaqi farmaan': Teachers, students condemn the move
Unsurprisingly, the decision hasn't gone well with students and teachers, who question its relevance.
Calling the move draconian and a "regressive Tughlaqi farmaan," students find it ridiculous to make MPhil/PhD scholars worry about attendance over research.
Professors too think it irrelevant, as JNU doesn't have a problem of absenteeism, they say.
The V-C is under attack for "destroying JNU's inclusive and democratic character."