The University of Calcutta has decided to cut holidays to increase the number of classes per semester in colleges. Summer holidays, puja holidays and winter holidays in colleges will be reduced. For this, the university authorities are planning to approach the Chancellor, i.e., the Governor, through the Higher Education Department to bring changes to the university's 47-year-old statute.
This decision was taken at the first syndicate meeting on Thursday under the leadership of the new permanent Vice-Chancellor, Ashutosh Ghosh.
Due to the new education policy, only 35–40 days of classes are held in a six-month semester in the 150 colleges approved by the university. This had created resentment among students and parents.
According to University Grants Commission rules, at least 90 days of classes should be held per semester. To handle the situation, Vice-Chancellor Ashutosh Ghosh recently held a meeting with principals of 40–42 colleges. Various proposals to increase the number of classes were discussed there. At Thursday's syndicate meeting, it was finally decided to proceed with cutting holidays. Ashutosh said, "We want colleges to have holidays during summer, puja and winter following the state government holiday list. This will significantly increase the number of classes in colleges at one go."
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According to the university's 1979 statute, colleges have summer holidays from May 16 to June 30. Although there are no classes during this time, teachers have to come to college if they have duties (conducting exams, checking papers and admission matters). However, since the Higher Education Department has now introduced a common portal for undergraduate admissions, teachers hardly need to come to the college for admissions.
Again, during puja time, there are holidays from Durga Puja's Chaturthi–Panchami to Bhai Phonta. Winter holidays are from December 25 to January 1. This time, all those holidays, especially summer holidays, are going to be cut.
Meanwhile, there are allegations that teaching, research and various administrative work of the university have been suffering for a long time due to a shortage of teachers, education workers and officers.
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In this situation, the syndicate has also adopted proposals for recruitment at three levels. The Vice-Chancellor has been asked to take necessary legal advice to resolve complications. Over 400 teaching posts and over 3,000 education worker posts are currently vacant in this ancient university.
Again, the University of Calcutta was due to receive ₹42 crore from Delhi under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) project. Due to a lack of lobbying, the university was not receiving that money for a long time. It was informed at the day's meeting that the Vice-Chancellor had lobbied RUSA authorities in Delhi last Tuesday regarding this matter. He was then asked whether the university would be able to spend the money if it were given within the remaining four months of the current financial year. After Ashutosh assured them, Delhi has sent ₹35 crore for the research fund.
