Reconsider compulsory attendance requirement in colleges: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court recently observed that there is an immediate need to reconsider the mandatory attendance requirements for postgraduate and undergraduate students..A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma observed that students today perceive mandatory attendance differently and their mental health is affected by these mandatory conditions.The Court said that it intends to form a committee to study various factors associated with the issue so that uniform practices can be evolved for attendance requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate students.“This issue deserves to be addressed at a much higher level rather than restricting it to any specific course/college/university/institution. Regulatory bodies as also some universities have in their statutes/ordinances, historically, prescribed mandatory attendance requirements. In the opinion of this Court, the same may require reconsideration, especially bearing in mind the teaching methods which have substantially changed including post the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent times, it is not unusual for colleges and universities to hold classes virtually, to hold examinations virtually or via online platforms,” the Court said.The Bench stressed that attendance needs to be positively encouraged rather than shortage being penalised by debarring students from exams.“Global practices followed by leading educational institutions around the world would also need to be analysed to see whether mandatory attendance requirements are even required. In the opinion of this Court, teachers and students need to be consulted in order to consider what should be the standards of attendance. Wider consultation would also be required to be undertaken to have a relook at the need to have mandatory attendance,” the order stated. .The Court issued notices to the Central government, National Medical Commission, Department of Education and other stakeholders directing them to make their submission on the issue.It will hear the matter next on September 9..The Bench passed the directions while dealing with a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition initiated after law student Sushant Rohilla committed suicide.Rohilla was a student at Amit University. It was alleged that he was subjected to harassment by the institution and some faculty members for maintaining low attendance. He was forced to repeat an entire academic year in the BA LLB course which allegedly led to his suicide. .[Read Order]