MANGALURU: Attendance to regular
classes in
colleges in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi districts, which come under the department of collegiate education, rose steadily since reopening on November 17 and although nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels it stood at a decent 17% by Saturday.
Officials say attendance for
UG/PG final year classes is likely to improve further as many
students had given samples for RT-PCR tests and are awaiting results. According to the health department, so far about 25,000 students in Dakshina Kannada alone have taken the
Covid-19 test of which 45 students (including medical and engineering students)
tested positive.
“UGC guidelines permit only 50% of students on campus,” said SB Appaji Gowda, joint director, collegiate education,
Mangaluru. “With that ceiling in mind, attendance has improved tremendously and is likely to improve further in December.”
He said out of 3,531 students who registered for classes in Dakshina Kannada district, 414 attended, while the figure is 558 students out of a total 3,203 in Udupi and Kodagu districts. Data shows that 76 colleges have been conducting classes on campus.
“There has also been a rise in the number of students attending contact classes (first and third semesters). So far 161 students have attended,” Gowda said, adding that more girls attend than boys.
Ramachandra Bairy, district health officer, Dakshina Kannada, said pending
Covid-19 test reports of thousands of students will be cleared soon. “Students who tested positive are in home isolation and recovering,” he said.
Meanwhile,
Mangalore University syndicate members met deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan and discussed various aspects pertaining to the varsity.
Strategy to rectify previous blunders was discussed with him. Members said introduction of free examination software as a substitute to the one that was outsourced will see positive results.