DU crossfire on, students still suffer

Even as the crossfire between the Delhi University Teachers’ Association and university authorities, over the implementation of the semester system in 13 science courses, rages, the worst sufferers are Delhi University students.

Even as the crossfire between the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and university authorities, over the implementation of the semester system in 13 science courses, rages, the worst sufferers are Delhi University (DU) students.

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The first semester, due to begin on November 20, was re-scheduled to December 6, as valuable teaching hours were lost to strikes.

Meanwhile, DUTA lamented not being consulted before the decision, dilution of courses and lack of infrastructure. “Since all the classes are slotted, what if a teacher falls ill? Won’t there be loss of teaching hours then?” asked Abha Dev Habib, a DUTA member.

The university has responded by asking principals to keep attendance records of teachers, and some principals have toed the University line.

Others, like the Kirori Mal College, continue to teach in the annual mode. However, with the new DU vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh assuming office, there’s hope that the issue could be resolved soon. "The DUTA has to be flexible in its approach. The future of the students is at stake here," said the principal of a college.