Director Higher Education allows physical classes for final-year college students

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18

A day after Panjab University confirmed to continue online classes, the Director Higher Education (DHE), UT Administration, has issued orders that higher educational institutes and colleges in the city may open for final year students from November 23. The instructions have put these institutions into a dicey situation.

In orders issued today, the DHE stated, “It has been decided to reopen higher educational institutions/colleges in Chandigarh from November 23 onwards. Final year students of undergraduate and postgraduate courses may be allowed to come to institutes for academic and placement purposes. Teaching and non-teaching staff will regularly be on duty as per the office timings fixed by respective heads of institutions.”

“Hostels may be allowed to reopen from December 1only in such cases where it’s necessary as per the direction of the head of the institute subject to adherence of SOPs issued by the UCC,” the DHE added.

The DHE has asked officials to follow the UGC guidelines as per their local needs/conditions. “Heads of institutes will be responsible to ensure compliance of instructions of the MHA, Government of India, Ministry of Education, UGC and the UT Administration issued from time to time,” the DHE stated.

“Each institute will develop its own detailed SOP for reopening of campus keeping in view the safety and health of students and the staff,” the DHE added.

Decision to conduct online classes to be reviewed

Meanwhile, Dean, College Development Council (DCDC), Panjab University, said the decision to continue online classes was taken for the time being and would be reviewed every week.

“Both the PU and the DHE are in regular touch. We have taken the decision of continuing online teaching for the time being, which will be reviewed every week,” said Sanjay Kaushik, the DCDC.

Colleges left in the lurch

Amid increasing number of Covid-19 cases, colleges are left in lurch with the new notification. As many as 12 colleges are affiliated with Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh. Also, majority of students studying in local colleges are from other cities, reason why the PU opted for continuing with online classes. However, today’s DHE orders have clearly put officials in an awkward position.

“There should have been one decision. In Chandigarh, we cannot just avoid PU or DHE’s orders. As we have limited infrastructure in colleges it will be difficult to adjust students. Moreover, creating a bio-bubble is feasible for hostellers, but not for day scholars. Officials must prepare protocols and also fix responsibility in a worst case scenario,” said a college principal.