The laboratories of Calcutta University that have remained open for postgraduate students since January 18 will continue to be functional, vice-chancellor Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee said on Friday.
The clarification comes two days after the higher education department said it would take a call on resumption of in-person classes for colleges and universities not before April.
“The university had received several appeals from scores of teachers and students about reopening the labs and the decision was taken in the interest of the students…. The university took a collective decision on reopening the labs, strictly adhering to the safety protocols…” Chakravarti Banerjee told Metro.
Colleges and universities in Bengal will not reopen for in-person classes in the ongoing semester that will end in March, education minister Partha Chatterjee said on Wednesday after a meeting with vice-chancellors.
Several VCs opposed the resumption of in-person classes at this point of time on the ground that they were not sure whether the physical distancing norm, a key precautionary measure against Covid-19, could be followed in hostels, where each room is shared by multiple students.
“The vice-chancellors unanimously suggested that the classes of the ongoing odd-semesters (first, third, fifth and seventh semesters at the undergraduate level) be held online. We have accepted their suggestion. The semester will end in March,” Chatterjee said after the meeting.
Practical classes can be held on Calcutta University campuses, provided students attend them in small batches, vice-chancellor Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee said on Monday.
The VC made the comment when Metro asked her about a letter from the Calcutta University Teachers’ Association urging her “to allow holding practical classes in willing departments maintaining Covid-19 safety protocols” since those classes are essential for many courses.
“It will be an injustice to the students to again go ahead with the teaching-learning process without holding any practical classes,” the letter reads.
Chakravarti Banerjee told this newspaper: “Teachers can hold practical classes on the campus in small clusters if they want. We were not allowing the exercise on the campus because of their safety. If they want to hold practical classes following the safety protocols, they can do so. We will sanitise the facilities.”