Poor teaching: Oxford graduate loses legal bid

London, February 8 

A former Oxford University student, believed to be of Indian-origin, has lost his claim of one million pounds in damages from the prestigious institution for its alleged poor teaching in his specialist Indian subject.

Faiz Siddiqui had sued the varsity after 17 years, in last November, claiming that he received “inadequate” teaching on his specialist course on Indian imperial history, which led to him getting a 2:1 back in 2000 and compromised his earnings in the job market as a high-flying lawyer.

But a judge dismissed the case this week, saying the 39- year-old may have “simply coasted” during his course and offered him “sympathy and understanding”. “It is to be hoped that he can re-focus, perhaps lower his expectations at least for the time being and start using his undoubted intelligence to create a worthwhile future for himself,” Justice Foskett said in his ruling.

Lawyers for Siddiqui, who studied modern history at Brasenose College, had argued that the second-class degree meant a loss of earnings in his future career as a lawyer.  They had also claimed that missing out on a first-class degree had led to a rejection from the Harvard Law School and affected his mental health and career.

While the judge accepted the claimant had suffered severe depression, he felt it could not be attributed to his degree result. Justice Foskett said it was possible that Siddiqui simply got over-anxious during the examination process. — PTI