Most language depts have more teachers than students in MU
Even as the University of Mumbai has teaching staff shortage in major departments, several post-graduate courses have enough staff but have few or no students.
Even as the University of Mumbai has teaching staff shortage in major departments, several post-graduate courses have enough staff but have few or no students.
For example, Gujarati department has no student for MA course but has three teachers.
The required student-faculty ratio is 20:1.
Abhay Doshi, professor, Gujarati language department, said: “Considering that the city has a large Gujarati-speaking population, the decrease in number of students is alarming. We are planning to give scholarship of Rs5,000 a month to students through private organisation to encourage them to continue studying Gujarati.”
Although enrolments have remained steady in traditional courses, some departments – especially language and humanities -- are overstaffed as there are few students.
Sindhi department has 10 MA students and two teachers.
Persian department has two professors and Kannada department five professors to teach around 10 to 12 students.
African studies and Central Eurasian studies have students in single digit.
Professors said the number of MA students is decreasing after the credit system was introduced and attendance made stricter.
“Most students prefer distance learning as they do not need to attend regular lectures. However, they join the department for MPhil and PhD courses, ” added Doshi.
Senate member Sanjay Vairal said: “Lectures often get cancelled if there are few students and hence the credit system is not followed properly."
The university said it was the departments’ responsibility to attract students.
“Departments should organise seminars and innovative programmes to attract students who are shifting to distance learning,” said a university official.