Teacher playing truant? Call new DU helpline

Students bunking classes has always been a problem but teachers not showing up for their classes has become such a worry that the Delhi University (DU) has decided to launch a helpline for students where they can report on absentee teachers.

Students bunking classes has always been a problem but teachers not showing up for their classes has become such a worry that the Delhi University (DU) has decided to launch a helpline for students where they can report on absentee teachers.

The helpline will include a phone number, an email address, a number for fax as well as a mobile app that will help students send a message in case a teacher is not taking class.

The identity of the students will not be revealed.

“We have been taking a lot of steps to ensure that teachers take regular classes and students are not turned back disappointed,” said Dinesh Singh, vice-chancellor of Delhi University.

The helpline comes on the steps of the Delhi University’s student feedback system initiative — a move which was widely criticised by teachers — whereby a student could assess and appraise their teachers by filling out a form.

After assessing 2,000 such forms, Delhi University found out that many students were unhappy with absentee teachers. “Of all the responses that we got from the colleges, 50% said that classes were not being held regularly,” Singh said.

The student empowerment committee of the Delhi university, however, found that classes were taking place when they visited some colleges.

Staff is now being trained to man the helpline at the university and it is expected to start functioning by the coming week.