60% attendance in medical colleges

DAY ONE

60% attendance in medical colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 02.12.2020

Unlike Day 1 of reopening of engineering and degree colleges last month, medical colleges affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Medical Sciences (RGUHS) witnessed the attendance of 60% on Tuesday, when regular classes resumed for the first time since the nationwide lockdown in March.

The high numbers are being attributed to the varsity’s decision to focus on practical classes.

“Students have to come because of clinical postings,” said Dr S Sacchidanand, vice chancellor, RGUHS. “Exams are scheduled for February. We expect the numbers to grow as many are still getting their Covid test results and making travel arrangements. The numbers in dental colleges were slightly lower as they had just completed exams. In pharma and nursing colleges, exams are underway.”

Dental and other affiliate colleges of RGHUS reported about 50% attendance. While colleges can offer blended forms of learning for theory classes, students have to attend practicals in person.

“Colleges have been asked to adhere to safety norms as much as possible,” Dr Sacchidanand said. “An orientation programme on Covid etiquette has also been recommended.”

Dr VT Venkatesh, principal, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, said the attendance was 72% on Tuesday. “Even we were taken aback. Students have no alternative; they too want to get back to serious studies now. There were practicals and some theory classes too today,” he said.

Medical education minister K Sudhakar visited Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, which saw a staggering 90% attendance on the first day. At Oxford Medical College, the attendance was 45%.

Some allied courses saw thinner attendance as outstation students are yet to rejoin. Students from other countries have been complaining of lack of flights.

Students said colleges tried to maintain social distancing in clinical classes by dividing them into smaller batches and leaving enough gaps between students on Day 1. Hostels, however, continue to have more than one student in a room.

BEING PRACTICAL:

Health and medical education minister K Sudhakar visited Bangalore Medical College and interacted with students who turned up for classes on Day 1, on Tuesday