Maharashtra: With final-year university exams slated to begin on October 1, the state higher and technical education department on Friday made 100 percent attendance compulsory for teaching and non-teaching staff in colleges and universities.
Colleges were earlier calling teachers and other staff for administrative work or to conduct online classes.
Under Unlock IV guidelines, the state has allowed government establishments to function at full strength. Following the issuance of the guidelines, Mumbai University sent out a circular on 100 percent attendance.
The Bombay University and College Teachers Union (BUCTU) said the department’s decision contradicted the government’s own guidelines of August 31, which said schools and colleges would remain shut till September 30. “Classes, exams, and practice tests are all being conducted online. In many colleges, practical examinations have been completed and question banks are getting readied for the October exams. The university has formed college clusters and meetings are taking place. Teachers are fully committed to conducting the exams properly. But there is no reason why they should be called to the college when the government itself is worried about the pandemic situation. Plus, there is no public transport available as most teachers have to travel by local train. This is not the time when people should go to college for the sake of it,” said Madhu Paranjpe, general secretary, BUCTU.