AP High Court directs Universities to follow NALSAR panel’s recommendations to reduce students’ stress

A Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court led by Chief Justice KJ Sengupta has directed the State Government, the University Grants Commission and state universities to follow the recommendations made by a nine-member committee headed by NALSAR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Faizan Mustafa. The Court passed these directions while hearing a petition on student suicides across various universities in the State..As per the report in The New Indian Express, in April this year, the then Acting Chief Justice, J. NV Ramana had taken suo motu cognizance of a news article highlighting student suicides. Justice Ramana then directed the formation of a committee to “discuss and initiate measures to prevent such incidents”..Speaking to Bar & Bench, NALSAR’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Faizan Mustafa said that following the High Court’s directions, a meeting of the representatives from the government and the universities was held in April. Prof. Mustafa, who chaired the meeting, said that a whole host of changes were discussed including addressing the very manner in which students are evaluated..“The problem is not only is our curriculum outdated,” says Prof. Mustafa, “but also very exam-oriented. We think that excessive exams will bring out the best [but] we have people coming in from different backgrounds.” Prof. Mustafa notes that often, the very reason for having exams is lost. “What do we want to test?” he asks..Once the report on the workshop was placed before the High Court, the Court asked the committee to put forth concrete measures to tackle the problem of student suicides. Accordingly in the last week of June, the committee suggested ten “short-term” and three “long-term” measures to alleviate the stress faced by students. Some of these measures include:.All universities in the state should put in place preparatory courses, bridge courses to support SC, ST, OBC students, students with disabilities, first generation learners and economically backward students.In addition to the appointment of counsellors, universities should also explore the possibility of using Restorative Justice techniques which have been successfully used by the NALSAR University of Law.The universities should endeavour to put in place a system of getting students’ feedback on the quality of teaching, student services and institutional infrastructure..Prof. Mustafa also noted that students ought to be given “more opportunities” to take exams in case they do not clear it on the first attempt. He also went on to note that with respect to student suicides, a large number of these were with respect to students from economically weaker backgrounds or students who are unable to cope with the academic demands. “We must introduce bridge courses”, for such students says Prof. Mustafa, “or we can consider having introductory courses.”.The committee also deliberated on the need to have more transparent disciplinary proceedings, and the establishment of an independent University Ombudsman to address student grievances. While the Ombudsman is an independent body, the committee also seeks the establishment of Student Grievance Committees, which needs to be approached before the matter is taken to the Ombudsman. This, feels Prof. Mustafa, will curb arbitrary use of the penalties such as expulsion. “Many universities have mechanical disciplinary proceedings,” notes Prof. Mustafa, “and expulsions or failing a year can have some very serious repercussions.” While admitting that there is a definite need to maintain discipline within the university, Prof. Mustafa says that this does not mean that the administrator can act like a “dictator”..Some of the other recommendations include the establishment of a UGC Task Force on suicides, on similar lines as an anti-ragging committee, and the timely completion of courses and declaration of results.