Degree colleges, varsities find 50% attendance unfeasible

‘Even if 60 out of 120 students are called at a time, it will lead to crowding’

The Principals of degree colleges and universities have pointed out at practical drawbacks in resuming offline lectures following the direction of the state higher and technical education department. Colleges said that the 50% attendance provision is not feasible because each class will have to be divided into four batches instead of two as there are around 120 students per class.

On Wednesday, Uday Samant, state higher and technical education minister had announced, "Degree colleges and universities in Maharashtra can resume offline lectures with 50% attendance on a rotational basis from February 15, 2021. Colleges and universities will have to maintain all Covid-19 SOPs, safety protocols, and distancing measures."

In response to this direction, principals of degree colleges said that there is no space to accommodate one student per bench in a classroom. Zarine Bhathena, principal of Bhavan's College, Andheri (west), said, "We have 120 students who use 50 to 60 benches and desks in a classroom. But now, if one student is made to sit on a single bench leaving an empty bench in between to maintain distancing then we might need additional benches and desks. Also, there is no space in the classroom for additional benches and desks."

In addition, colleges said that the 50% attendance provision will not work because they will have to divide the class into four batches. Marie Fernandes, principal of St Andrew's College, Bandra said, "Even if we follow the 50 per cent attendance rule and call 60 out of 120 students at a time, it will still lead to crowding. We will have to call 30 students per class on a single day."