Students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), vexed by the lack of resources, have decided to continue the boycott of classes and hold a protest against the administration on Thursday. The students say that unavailability of details of syllabus and the unplanned procedure of the institute to continue classes, practicals and projects without a timeline, is hindering the process of efficient and effective education.
Following the change in syllabus in 2016, the students claim that the administration has failed to share a detailed structure of the curriculum. “We were not given a detailed syllabus even in the previous year. And, now the problem continues. We don’t really know what we are going to be taught and on top of it, now due to lack of proper planning, practical projects of three different batches are going to clash, creating a scarcity of basic equipment,” said a second year student, requesting anonymity.
He shared that practical projects of three batches, which are being held simultaneously, is causing the scarcity.
“The senior batch is working on their diploma film and the 2016 batch has their exercises. We, on the other hand, are struggling with our dialogue exercise, due to lack of basic equipment like a camera. This is the first time that there has been such a mess of the execution plan,” said another student.
He added that the institute administration has asked them to work for 16 hours a day on their practicals, but is willing to keep the departments open for assistance, only till 9 pm. “On one hand, they want us to work till 1 pm, and yet they are not ready help us out with any assistance during that period. We are here to learn after all,” said a student of 2017 batch.
{{/usCountry}}He added that the institute administration has asked them to work for 16 hours a day on their practicals, but is willing to keep the departments open for assistance, only till 9 pm. “On one hand, they want us to work till 1 pm, and yet they are not ready help us out with any assistance during that period. We are here to learn after all,” said a student of 2017 batch.
{{/usCountry}}They complained that the administration, despite sending several letters, has not been able to provide a concrete solution. Almost 50 students had decided to boycott classes in protest of this situation, after they received no replies to their letters to the head of department, directors and the chairman Anupam Kher.
Bhupendra Kainthola, director of the institute, said, “The HODs of the respective departments are addressing the students’ concerns as they see fit. However, in case there is a need for me to step in and check, I will do so. But, for now this should be resolved internally.”