LUCKNOW: After a gap of about eight months, universities and degree colleges in Uttar Pradesh reopened on Monday. The higher educational institutions reopened with 50% attendance of students on roster basis, as per the guidelines of the state government.
Director, higher education, Amit Bharadwaj told TOI that about 38% students attended the classes in universities and colleges across the state. “Students were happy to be back in the universities and colleges and meet their friends. Teachers too were happy,” Bharadwaj said.
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However, despite Covid-19 protocols, students and parents were concerned about the safety considering the surge in coronavirus cases,” Bharadwaj added.
At Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, less than 40% students attended the classes. “There is a sense of fear among the students. Attendance was thin in colleges. Directives have been issued to maintain Covid-19 protocols. Besides, online classes are a hit,” said CCSU registrar Dhirendra Verma.
The officials at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University, Gorakhpur, claimed over 60% students came on the first day. The university has initially asked only research scholars and postgraduate students to attend classes. “Students underwent thermal scanning at the entrance gate,” said university’s media cell incharge Mahendra Singh.
Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow recorded less than 10% attendance. University vice-chancellor SK Bhatnagar said, “At present, online examinations are underway for undergraduate students. The attendance of PhD scholars and LLM students was thin. Students and teachers are wary of coming to the campus come due to increasing number of coronavirus cases.”
At National PG College, Lucknow, physical classes began only for PG students.
“The attendance was low so we are planning to wait for a little and will call the student in the second phase after some gap ,” said National PG College principal Nirja Singh.
About 30% attendance was recorded at Avadh Girls’ Degree College. The college has decided to hold the firstyear classes on Mondays, second year on Tuesdays and final year on Wednesdays. The same cycle will be repeated in the coming days. MA English classes will be held daily on the campus. Principal Upma Chaturvedi said, “Students are hesitant in coming to the college though attendance is high in online classes.”
Lucknow University, due to the 100-year celebrations has decided to suspend teaching till November 25. Post this, the university will take a call on physical classes.
No offline classes were held at Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University as it decided to continue studies in the online mode.
As per the officials of Navyug Girls College, Mumtaz PG College, Shri Jai Narain PG college the attendance on the first day was only 15 to 20%.”We were already running classes in both modes in offline there are lesser students as of now,” said AKTU spokesperson Asheesh Mishra.
Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University only called its local students as for outstation differently-abled students the varsity didn’t want any problem As per directives sent to district magistrates and registrars of universities by additional chief secretary, higher education, Monika Garg, higher educational institutions were asked to resume classes in a phased manner to avoid crowding on campuses.
All students have to wear mask, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.