Semester system side effect: Oct break slashed

Students across Delhi University (DU) have begun to feel the rigour of the semester system. The much-awaited October break has been slashed by a week, and there is little consolation for students in the immediate future. Shaswati Das reports.

Students across Delhi University (DU) have begun to feel the rigour of the semester system. The much-awaited October break has been slashed by a week, and there is little consolation for students in the immediate future.

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Authorities, however, maintain that this break had primarily been provided so students could prepare for the upcoming semester-end examinations.

"The October-break has been curtailed this year. Earlier it was 15 days but this year it is shorter. The end-semester exams are due in the first week of December and we are already behind schedule. So willing teachers will take extra classes during this period," said Gulshan Sawhney, Deputy Dean of Student's Welfare, Delhi University.

"Even students know that they are under pressure, so it will not affect their morale. This break will give them time to prepare for their exams," Sawhney added.

Out-station students, however, are not happy about the reduction in the October holidays, since the break also clashes with upcoming festivals.

Yet other students have chosen to accept the university's decision, claiming that a longer vacation awaits them in December following the semester-end examinations.

"No it doesn't really make much of a difference because we are getting a longer winter break. So a few days cut short from our autumn break won't really affect us. It's just a question of getting a week less now. It is for us to make the most of what is offered to us," said Abhishek Khanna, a student of Hansraj College.