Do students take attendance seriously?

Three months after they reopened, empty corridors, vacant classrooms, but well-occupied canteens are common scenes at many colleges.This, despite the fact that 70 per cent attendance is compulsory. Says Anay Tripathi, a student from Nowrosjee Wadia College (NWC), “I am very much aware of the mandatory 70 per cent attendance rule.
However, I don’t attend college because the college authorities are least bothered, so even I don’t care about attendance.� Rachna Gaikwad, another student from NWC, said,while she attended college regularly, not all teachers give due importance to attendance.
Ironically, some college professors share a similar view. Manoj Bhise, a professor the NWC, said if students feel they are gaining anything by attending classes, authorities should look into the problem and rectify the system. “Otherwise there no use of taking attendance.� NWC principal Sambheji Tardalkar said, “A committee will be appointed to collect lists from teachers of students who miss classes and strict action would be taken against them.�
Hilda David, a professor at Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce (SCAC), said the attendance of students was gradually improving. “Students are beginning realise that it is not easy to write an examination by skimming through the books and learning by heart.� Priyanka Joshi, FYJC student at the SCAC, said students bunked lectures because, in some cases, teaching system was not up to the mark. Fergusson college principal V.K. Wagh said the college had a strict 75 per cent attendance norm for theory classes and practicals.
“Parents of erring students are summoned and they are not allowed to appear for examinations,� Wagh said. He pointed out that bunking was on the rise because outside attractions like parties,movies and Netcafes, among other things. “However, bunking can be reduced if teachers ensure good quality of teaching,� he said. group of first year junior college students attends a lecture at Nowrosjee Wadia College.