The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Controversy over change in timings of college takes a new turn

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 16, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Controversy over change in timings of college takes a new turn

The Mahatma Gandhi University Syndicate has decided to discuss the changes made in the academic timings at St. Albert's College. The college authorities had fixed the timetable between 8 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. This has evoked protests from students' organisations and a section of the teachers.

The issue took a new turn on Wednesday with the college management suspending Head of Malayalam department Sebastian K. Antony for allegedly supporting the students' agitation. Prof. Sebastian is the president of the staff club. He is also the elected member of the college council and unit president of the All-Kerala Private College Teachers' Association.

Members of the Syndicate committee who visited the college on Monday made it clear that the issue would be discussed, in all likelihood, at the June 30 Syndicate meeting.

According to the Syndicate member V. Sasidharan, the college authorities had not taken permission from the university for changing the college timings. There is a Government circular fixing the college hours between 9.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m., or 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. These timings were fixed on the basis of the recommendations made by the Vice-Chancellors of various universities.

SFI support

The Students' Federation of India is supporting the protest. T.V. Pradeesh, district secretary of the federation, said the timings were changed without discussing the issue with representatives of the students' organisation. The new timings had caused difficulties for students, especially those who had to travel long distances to reach the college, he added.

Meanwhile, the college authorities had made it clear that they would not revise the timings.

Leslie Pallath, Principal, said the college management was vested with powers to take any decision related to its administrative functioning. The new timings would help students reach college before peak traffic hours in the city. The change had also helped students who wished to work.

Moreover, the faculty was getting time to impart coaching to students who were weak in English in the afternoon.

G. Krishnakumar

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section

Waste disposal being decentralised by Thrikkakara panchayat

Controversy over change in timings of college takes a new turn

UDF has ceased to exist, says Pinarayi

Effort on to begin waste dumping on port trust land

Reproductive technology: Centre files affidavit before High Court

Coir units to get subsidy for upgrading technology

Dak adalat

Around the City

In Kochi Today