When the JNU administration decided to implement compulsory attendance at all levels, there was lot of uproar. I told my students that I do not support the directive but as it is mandatory and one never knows what the penalties might be, it would be judicious of them to sign the register. The students started signing. Outwards there was no protest. Truthfully, I was tad disappointed. I had hoped that they would protest. Little did I know.
For the past one week, the parents/guardians of our students have started receiving letters stating that their ward does not have the mandatory 75% for the months of Jan and Feb. My students too received it. I was startled. Many of them have taken just one day off. So where did the administration get this number from?
It turns out that there was a referendum some time back. 7000 students said NO to attendance. My students too. Now, they are receiving the letter.
There are number of ways I look at it.
I can laugh at it. Really! Research scholars. Many of whom are married and have children. You are sending letters to their parents?
I feel derision. Honestly? This is a kindergarten?
I feel sad that the university is being constantly reduced down. Issues other academics are being stoked up.
I am also elated. My students stood up.
But most of all, I am angry. It is false data at least as far as the students of our school are concerned. The attendance was put up in public notice board, it is their with our office and almost all our students have more than 75% attendance. They never protested about signing the attendance register. When students from other schools were on strike, they went on with their work. Yes. They exercised their right in ballot. That is what it is. Voting is their RIGHT. They have the right to express what they feel. Exactly what is the administration up to? Did they think that the students will cower down? Did they not stop for one minute and ask what if the students waved the attendance sheet at their face and showed that they had the mandatory attendance. And will the administration apologize for this travesty? Many of the girls are upset because their parents got worked up. Will they apologize to the parents for issuing a false letter?
Finally, what will the letter achieve? What is the punishment?
There are so many other issues we need to talk about. Attendance is such a silly thing to make a fuss about.
For the past one week, the parents/guardians of our students have started receiving letters stating that their ward does not have the mandatory 75% for the months of Jan and Feb. My students too received it. I was startled. Many of them have taken just one day off. So where did the administration get this number from?
It turns out that there was a referendum some time back. 7000 students said NO to attendance. My students too. Now, they are receiving the letter.
There are number of ways I look at it.
I can laugh at it. Really! Research scholars. Many of whom are married and have children. You are sending letters to their parents?
I feel derision. Honestly? This is a kindergarten?
I feel sad that the university is being constantly reduced down. Issues other academics are being stoked up.
I am also elated. My students stood up.
But most of all, I am angry. It is false data at least as far as the students of our school are concerned. The attendance was put up in public notice board, it is their with our office and almost all our students have more than 75% attendance. They never protested about signing the attendance register. When students from other schools were on strike, they went on with their work. Yes. They exercised their right in ballot. That is what it is. Voting is their RIGHT. They have the right to express what they feel. Exactly what is the administration up to? Did they think that the students will cower down? Did they not stop for one minute and ask what if the students waved the attendance sheet at their face and showed that they had the mandatory attendance. And will the administration apologize for this travesty? Many of the girls are upset because their parents got worked up. Will they apologize to the parents for issuing a false letter?
Finally, what will the letter achieve? What is the punishment?
There are so many other issues we need to talk about. Attendance is such a silly thing to make a fuss about.
This is something I didn't know about. Very immature and irresponsible from the administration. God help JNU.
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