The Delhi High Court has called for reconsidering mandatory attendance policies in undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses, signalling a potential shift in how educational institutions enforce attendance.
The court's remarks come amid growing discussions on the relevance of traditional classroom attendance in an era where technology and online resources are transforming education.
As per Indian Express reports, the court's observation emerged during the petition hearing challenging the mandatory attendance requirements set by Delhi University and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The petitioner argued that these policies are outdated and fail to account for the evolving nature of education, where learning is no longer confined to physical classrooms.
In its remarks, the Delhi High Court emphasised the need for greater flexibility in attendance policies, suggesting that students should be free to manage their academic commitments alongside personal responsibilities. The court noted that with the advent of online resources, students can now access high-quality educational content independently, reducing the necessity for rigid attendance requirements.
Many universities, including Delhi University, mandate that students attend a minimum percentage of classes to be eligible for exams. This policy has often been criticised by students who feel it limits their ability to pursue other educational and professional opportunities or manage personal challenges.
The court has now sought responses from Delhi University and the UGC on whether these attendance policies can be re-evaluated to offer more flexibility to students. This move by the court has sparked a broader debate on the role and necessity of traditional attendance in higher education.
Supporters of the court's stance argue that a more flexible approach would empower students to take charge of their learning, foster independence, and allow them to balance academic and extracurricular activities. Educators, too, have welcomed the court's intervention, noting that the shift towards online and hybrid learning models has rendered the old attendance paradigms less relevant.
However, some educational experts caution that loosening attendance requirements could lead to declining student engagement and participation in academic activities. They argue that in-person interaction remains a crucial element of the learning process, offering opportunities for discussion, debate, and collaborative learning that online platforms may not fully replicate.
As the debate unfolds, the Delhi High Court's call for reconsideration could mark the beginning of significant changes in how attendance is managed in higher education. This could potentially lead to more student-centred policies that reflect the diverse ways in which students learn and engage with their education today.
