Buzz back as offline classes resume in colleges

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 21

College campuses returned to life with offline teaching beginning for all classes here on Thursday. Three days ago, the state government had directed all colleges to offer offline teaching for all classes. Earlier, most colleges had started regular teaching only for the final year college students and PG students, but on Thursday students of all courses were asked to attend physical classes.

As it was the first day, attendance in most Guru Nanak Dev University-affiliated colleges remained low. Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya recorded only 15-20 per cent attendance in most classes. All teachers conducted offline and online classes simultaneously from their classrooms. They said the cold, harsh weather, too, seemed to be deterring students from joining classes.

HMV College Principal Ajay Sareen said, “We have started the hostel facility for outsider students. We are accommodating two students in each room where the occupancy was earlier three or four students. We are yet to resume transport facilities from satellite towns as viability remains an issue.”

At Lyallpur Khalsa College, the attendance was slightly better at 40%. Principal Dr GS Samra said, “Our campus was abuzz with activities after a long time. We are encouraging more students to take offline classes, as it will be in their interest to have a one-to-one interaction with the staff. As the physical examination is expected to start by mid-February, we want them to get into the habit of coming to the college.”