UG classes yet to resume in many colleges

All colleges and universities, including arts, science, technical, engineering, agriculture, fisheries, veterinary institutions were permitted to resume classes for final year students from December 7. They were also allowed to open hostels.

However, many institutions said they have already completed online classes for final year UG students and were now conducting online exams for them.

“We could not conduct classes on Monday as they have online semester exams. Classes would begin only next week,” Dr B Uma Maheswari, principal, Queen Mary’s College, told DT Next. Students were informed about reschedule of classes, she said. “At present, classes are being conducted for final year Post Graduate (PG) and research students. Most of the out-station students did not attend the classes”.

Joint Action Council of College Teachers, Tamil Nadu convenor R Dhamothran, who is also a Botany professor in a government college in city, claimed many higher educational institutions, including government colleges, have already completed the required 90-hour online classes for the final year students. Therefore, these students might not show interest in coming to classes amid the pandemic, he opined.

“Many colleges, including several autonomous institutions, could not conduct classes due to online exams. Several institutions that opened today for final year UG students recorded poor attendance,” he said. Another reason was the incessant rains, he said, noting that the actual figure of attendance would be available only after a few days.

N Pasupathy, president, Association of University Teachers, said that there was no clarity from the Higher Education Department on reopening, as many institutions were conducting online exams. “As per the reports received from our members across the State, even students who have attended the classes expressed concern about coming to colleges as the normalcy is yet to be restored fully,” he added.

However, Dr S Kothai, principal of Ethiraj College for Women, said the institution had more than 80 per cent attendance on Monday. “We have split each class into two batches, with one group will be doing lab experiments while the others have theory session,” she said.