TALEIGAO: Falling attendance is turning out to be a major problem in universities and colleges across India with often students and their parents meeting with the head of the department (HoD) or college principal justifying the absence.
As per Goa University (GU) rules, students have to ensure a minimum of 75 percent attendance in order to qualify to appear for the semester-end examinations, failing which the student will be barred from answering the examination.
Students that Herald spoke to at Goa University campus felt that the rule is acceptable up to a certain level but that graduate and postgraduate students don’t need such confining rules. “We have students who can score well without attending classes and the decision should be ultimately left up to the student,” said a student.
“They should make it 60 percent because meeting 75 percent is a little difficult when there are unavoidable circumstances. According to the current rule, even medical reasons are supposed to be under 25 percent of the absent days in a month, and falling ill is not in our control. I had a tough time owing to my health even after giving a medical certificate, just because my attendance was 70.4 percent,” says Poorva Prabhudesai.
Another student Danicarose D’Souza said 75 percent is a very high level especially for law students, who find it difficult to even score 75 per cent in their exams.
Meanwhile, NSUI president Ahraz Mulla has promised students that if their panel is elected in the GU elections, a memorandum will be sent to the university demanding that mandatory attendance be made 60 percent.
Students also argued that not everything can be learnt in a classroom, so the 75 percent attendance rule shouldn’t be imposed. If a student is dedicated, he/she can achieve great heights without being limited to compulsion in attendance.
“Yes, there should be certain rules and norms and guidelines for any institution to progress but this 75 percent attendance rule is certainly one that we can do without,” said David D’Costa, a former student.
There also were students who argued that attendance should be made compulsory and marks should be deducted if a student fails to achieve the mandatory attendance. They further stated it is the duty of the student to attend lectures and that students should be excused only in case of health or emergencies.
The students want the new panel which will be elected on August 26 take this issue up to the Vice- Chancellor.
Recently, the attendance issue had rocked Dhempe College of Arts and Science, wherein students had not been able to clear the semester-end examination after failing to cover 75 percent attendance.
