Partha warns teachers against skipping class

TNN | Aug 7, 2016, Kolkata: Education minister Partha Chatterjee on Saturday had a word of caution for erring teachers in schools and colleges, saying that the government is already in the process of making them accountable by installing a biometric attendance system.

The minister said, "I am aware that many teachers do not discharge their duties properly and sometimes even skip taking classes."

On a day when the Presidency University registrar and several other officials were freed after a 22-hour-gherao, Chatterjee added that the teachers, principals and headmasters should never give in to any unjust demand.

The minister, in presence of several vice-chancellors of state-run universities at Saturday's event in a city hotel, said that the government is in the process of revamping the syllabus to make it job-oriented. "We have constituted a syllabus revision committee to frame a draft," he said.

Chatterjee also requested students to maintain a minimum of 75% attendance, which has been made mandatory by the University Grants Commission. There has been several instances in the past when a section of the students had gheraoed and demonstrated, forcing the authorities to step back on their decision. He indicated that the government may take a strong step to make 75% attendance mandatory.

Not only students and teachers, but even non-teaching staff were asked to cooperate with the school and college authorities. "I request them to abide by the rules and regulations," the minister said.