HC seeks response from Med college on students’ absenteeism

The bench referred to a recent media report on Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) relaxing the requisite students attendance of 70 per cent to sit for final examinations.

Issuing notice to MAMC and also to the Delhi government through Health Secretary,the bench sought their response by July 6.

“The Dean of MAMC will explain in an affidavit to be filed by the next date whether factually the news item is correct and in exercise of which power and under what rule relaxation,if any was granted to enable students with below minimum attendance to take their final examinations,” the bench said.

According to the media report,to take the written test,a minimum of 70 per cent classroom attendance is required. However,the biometric attendance system showed that more than half of the class did not have requisite attendance.

The administration had to bow down to student pressure and allow them to sit for the exams despite poor attendance,the report stated.

Adding,to accommodate students,the college administration had removed the biometric attendance system,which it had introduced earlier this year to tame student indiscipline and ensure their presence in classes.

In the college,the average attendance for boys was about 20 per cent,while the girls attended at least 40 per cent lectures. The average student attendance was barely 30 per cent,the article had stated.