DU mulls to keep classroom, labs open till 8 pm, teachers raise concerns

As per the new notification which was uploaded by the varsity on May 4, the university stated that it had revised the timings in accordance with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guidelines, aimed at extending the availability of all resources to students.

The Delhi University in its latest notification had asked all its colleges and departments to keep its classrooms and laboratories open on all working days from 8 am to 8 pm. However, many teachers have now raised apprehensions regarding the notification. 

As per the new notification which was uploaded by the varsity on May 4, the university stated that it had revised the timings in accordance with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guidelines, aimed at extending the availability of all resources to students. “The University Grants Commission vide its communication D.O. No. F.13-10/2022 (CU) dated January 11, 2023, issued by the Secretary, UGC, has requested the central universities and higher educational institutions (HEIs)to take appropriate measures for the implementation of the UGC Guidelines for Optimal Utilisation of Resources available in Central Universities/HEIs so as to extend the benefits to the UG/PG students and researchers,” said DU in an official notice.

Soon after the release of the notification, the teachers raised their concerns and termed it a little impractical.“After NEP, the papers being offered are wide in range and require an expanded timetable, but the issue with the 8 to 8 guidelines is that you cannot expect students to stay on campus for long. No library can accommodate over 100 students, so where will students go? I think it’s a little impractical,” said a professor from Ramjas College, as reported by Indian Express.

“This must be read with the shrinking budgetary allocations on education, lack of funds and faculty for EWS expansion, holding back of second tranche of OBC expansion plan, and shifting of 40 per cent classes on an online basis,” said a statement by the AAP teachers’ body, Academic for Action and Development Delhi Teachers’ Association.

Associate professor from the political science department, Ramjas College, Tanvir Aeijaz, said, “You need to take students into account while making a decision like this. One cannot wake up one fine morning and decide that working hours will be 8 am to 8 pm. One needs to provide a rationale for a decision like this.”