Online classes of Madras Univ leave students divided

Online classes of Madras Univ leave students divided

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.02.2021

University of Madras’s decision to continue with online classes for first year postgraduate students till March has left students divided. While a majority of them are disappointed as they were all set to attend physical classes, some of them are happy that safety of the students has been kept in mind.

While the state government had announced that physical classes for all UG and PG students would begin from February 8. But in a meeting on Thursday, Madras University officials headed by vicechancellor S Gowri decided to continue with online classes for the first semester. “We are continuing with the existing method till the semester exams. Next semester from March will have classes in physical mode,” said the VC.

Following the government announcement, a first year postgraduate student from Meghalaya who returned to the city is disappointed. “I have been facing network issues and it was hard to follow online classes. I was glad to learn that physical classes would resume from February 8. I was disappointed with the university’s decision and I don’t know whether to stay here or go back home,” the student said and pointed out that second year PG students and research scholars were attending physical classes.

Another student from Ooty enrolled in Criminology and Criminal Justice Science in the university said online studies were just not the same. “We had our first internal test and many could not do well as it is difficult to understand lessons through online classes with limited scope to clear doubts,” the student said.

However, a section of students preferred online classes citing safety issues. A Faizur Rahman, pursuing masters in Islamic Studies at the university, welcomed the decision to conduct online classes this semester. “From students’ point of view with only a few weeks left for this academic year to end, it will be safer to attend campus classes from the next semester,” he said.

Professors said some students were worried about exams and physical classes would boost their confidence.