Shifting to offline classes in Jadavpur University will take some time, says teachers’ body

In a letter to the chair of the Engineering and Technology Faculty Council on Thursday, the Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) regretted that some of the engineering students misbehaved with faculty members during a recent demonstration calling for physical classes.

Offline classes were scheduled to start in JU along with other institutions on Feb. 3, and academic offices were opened and all faculty members in arts, science and engineering departments showed up, Registrar Snehamanju Basu said.

“However, many students had requested offline classes after February 15, mainly due to transportation issues. In consultation with students, it was decided to record data for various departments. Still, some students continued their protest,” JUTA Secretary General Partha Pratim Roy told PTI.

“We are moving from online to offline mode after a long time. For a smooth transition, all university stakeholders may need some time to settle down,” he says.

Some members of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union (FETSU) moved in front of the offices of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar on February 8.

Engineering dean Atal Choudhury resigned a day later and has yet to resign despite the VC’s request to do so. However, Choudhury cited personal reasons behind the decision.

JUTA said in the letter that teachers have always prioritized students’ problems and claimed that if classes are held physically, exams should also be conducted strictly offline.

“Many students of different years have indicated that they are not going to the offline classes now. Given the reality, we have to make departmental decisions. Rules and regulations should be the same for students of all years,” it said.

A JU official said offline classes in some departments of the Engineering and Technology faculty began on Thursday, but physical classes will not resume at full capacity until mid-February.