The University of Delhi is all set to organize offline practical classes for final year students. According to the Dean of Students’ Welfare, this offline mode will be voluntary keeping in mind the safety of the students. Theory classes shall remain online.
DSW Rajeev Gupta also stated that attendance will be absolutely voluntary. The final year students will be allowed in small gatherings only after taking the necessary Covid-19 precautions.
Rajeev Gupta, while talking to The Indian Express, also mentioned, “The remaining part of January will be devoted to understanding the guidelines and preparing SOPs (standard operating procedures), so that all faculty members are well versed. Most likely we will start by February 1. But it will be completely optional. Students will get to decide whether they want to come back or not. We will not force anyone.”
DUSU had also submitted a memorandum to DSW and the librarian of the Central Reference Library, demanding phased reopening of libraries and colleges. DUSU further made suggestions for an alternative DU library online, for easier access.
When asked about the students of other years, the Dean said that the university’s priority at the moment lies in the betterment of the final year students. He explained that the rest still had time to catch up with practical work, and hence would be continuing with online classes for now.
As per the UGC guidelines, the university had earlier suggested colleges to reduce the class size. They also divided the students into multiple groups in order to abide by the social-distancing norms.
