The menace of absenteeism
Falling attendance in the classroom is a sign of growing indiscipline in the education system, towards which we cannot afford to adopt an ostrich-like approachRama Kashyap
Falling attendance in the classroom is a sign of growing indiscipline in the education system, towards which we cannot afford to adopt an ostrich-like approachRama Kashyap
The required minimum attendance criterion exists only on paper and not in practise. A few years ago, the attendance bar was raised from 66 per cent to 75 per cent, as if stricter norms will automatically translate into better compliance. Perhaps just the opposite is the effect. The majority of the students do not even strive to meet the required minimum, considering 75 per cent attendance too high to be achieved.
Falling attendance in the classroom is a sign of growing indiscipline in the education system, towards which we cannot afford to adopt an ostrich-like approach. The educational institutions which boast of inculcating values in students cannot and should not tolerate this rampant absenteeism. But sadly, no action is taken against the defaulters. For, there is lack of will to check this menace. No wonder, the problem is compounding. In fact, the authorities are not much bothered about classes, since classroom teaching does not make news. These are the functions which keep an institution in the limelight and hence the focus is on activities. It is another matter that at times, an inconsequential activity may be blown out of proportion and projected as a mega event to hog newspaper space or in the name of celebration, a photo session may be held for the Press.
Classroom teaching, which is the core activity of an educational institution, has been relegated to the background. These are the seminars which have come to occupy the center stage. A few years ago, it was the NAAC storm which hit the colleges of the region. Today, it is the seminar fever gripping the institutes of higher learning. There is a mad race for organising seminars. Never mind the quality and the relevance of the papers presented, seminars must be organised to get the brownie points. Some speakers at the seminars may be brilliant, their content original, but majority are wide off the mark. Teaching standards may be falling but the frequency of seminars has increased manyfold. Therefore, there is need to pause and reflect over seminar frenzy. Let there be a seminar to assess utility / futility of holding seminars so frequently.
Besides the overemphasis on functions, there are other reasons that keep the students away from classes. Coaching for competitive exams from outside the college is yet another major factor. But a reality check will show that for most of the students, it is a “herd mentality” and an excuse to cut classes. There may be some justification for students to skip classes in the final year for the preparation of the CAT and MAT examinations, but thin attendance among the first-year students defies all logic. Even in the vocational courses run by colleges, there is a significant gap between enrolment and actual attendance.
Therefore, falling attendance in the class calls for serious introspection, and we the teachers cannot absolve ourselves of our responsibilities. To ensure better attendance in the class, we need to make our lectures relevant, meaningful and lively. Though computer, Internet and modern tools can supplement teaching, these cannot supplant the role of a good teacher. Here, the conventional “chalk-and-talk” method of teaching cannot be dismissed, which is communicative and participative.
Functions are important to break the monotony and for making the campus lively, but these should not become so frequent that they overshadow regular teaching. Let the importance of quality teaching not be lost in the noise and din of functions and seminars. Let the glory of classroom teaching be restored and pray that the tribe of dedicated teachers grows.
The writer is an Associate Professor
