MUMBAI: As many as 180 first-year MBBS students from HBT Medical College attached to Cooper Hospital and 125 from LTM Medical College attached to Sion Hospital have been debarred from writing at least one university exam for not fulfilling the minimum attendance criterion. College officials said multiple warnings were given to the students.
Students are expected to complete 75% attendance in theory and 80% in practical sessions, but some of the 305 debarred students have recorded a turnout of as low as 35%. Missing even one exam could cost a student a year.
Exams conducted by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences are scheduled to commence at the end of October. Students filled their exam forms, but the colleges have not given them their hall tickets.
At HBT Medical College, the administration had taken an undertaking from defaulting students in March that if they did not make up for the shortfall in attendance, they would not be allowed to sit their university exams. Monthly warnings in classrooms were also given. At LTM Medical college, names of defaulters were put up on notice boards.
The huge number of students skipping classes have raised concerns over whether classroom teaching in pre-clinical years has become obsolete. A senior medical student said some students start taking coaching for NEET-PG from their first year, resulting in poor attendance throughout the course.
A teacher from a civic-run college said attendance has always been a problem. “The first-year scores have no bearing on their final MBBS results or their NEET-PG scores. Students have to just pass the first year. So, there is a general lack of interest among students to attend classes.” Pointing out that students of government and civic colleges get highly subsidised medical education, another teacher rued that they “are taking the system for granted”.
Sudha Shenoy, a parent representative, said many students prefer self-study in libraries or learn using mobile learning platforms. “Attendance has never been good in the first two preclinical years of MBBS. This sudden decision could cost them a year. They could have been debarred from mid-term exams or prelims,” she said.
Globally, too, medical students not attending classes in their pre-clinical years has been a concern.
We also published the following articles recently
Students are expected to complete 75% attendance in theory and 80% in practical sessions, but some of the 305 debarred students have recorded a turnout of as low as 35%. Missing even one exam could cost a student a year.
Exams conducted by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences are scheduled to commence at the end of October. Students filled their exam forms, but the colleges have not given them their hall tickets.
At HBT Medical College, the administration had taken an undertaking from defaulting students in March that if they did not make up for the shortfall in attendance, they would not be allowed to sit their university exams. Monthly warnings in classrooms were also given. At LTM Medical college, names of defaulters were put up on notice boards.
The huge number of students skipping classes have raised concerns over whether classroom teaching in pre-clinical years has become obsolete. A senior medical student said some students start taking coaching for NEET-PG from their first year, resulting in poor attendance throughout the course.
A teacher from a civic-run college said attendance has always been a problem. “The first-year scores have no bearing on their final MBBS results or their NEET-PG scores. Students have to just pass the first year. So, there is a general lack of interest among students to attend classes.” Pointing out that students of government and civic colleges get highly subsidised medical education, another teacher rued that they “are taking the system for granted”.
Sudha Shenoy, a parent representative, said many students prefer self-study in libraries or learn using mobile learning platforms. “Attendance has never been good in the first two preclinical years of MBBS. This sudden decision could cost them a year. They could have been debarred from mid-term exams or prelims,” she said.
Globally, too, medical students not attending classes in their pre-clinical years has been a concern.
We also published the following articles recently
Medical student ends life
A medical student in Chamundipuram has died by suicide, leaving behind a death note. The student had recently returned home from Ujire, where she was studying, due to difficulties in concentrating on her studies. In another incident, three individuals were arrested for transporting beef in their car in Kushalnagar. They were found carrying more than 150kg of beef. Additionally, two police officers in Bihar have been arrested by the CBI for their alleged involvement in the escape of an accused from a police station. In Bijnor, three police officers were injured in an accident while trying to avoid stray cattle.
A medical student in Chamundipuram has died by suicide, leaving behind a death note. The student had recently returned home from Ujire, where she was studying, due to difficulties in concentrating on her studies. In another incident, three individuals were arrested for transporting beef in their car in Kushalnagar. They were found carrying more than 150kg of beef. Additionally, two police officers in Bihar have been arrested by the CBI for their alleged involvement in the escape of an accused from a police station. In Bijnor, three police officers were injured in an accident while trying to avoid stray cattle.
Biometric attendance system to be set up in Pt JNM Medical College
Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College in Raipur will implement a biometric attendance system for its students in order to improve attendance and transparency. The college plans to have the system in place within the next few months. Currently, only the faculty members are monitored using biometric attendance. The new system will be mandatory for all students, with both eyes and thumb impressions being scanned. Additionally, cameras have been installed in the medical hall to monitor student activities closely.
Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College in Raipur will implement a biometric attendance system for its students in order to improve attendance and transparency. The college plans to have the system in place within the next few months. Currently, only the faculty members are monitored using biometric attendance. The new system will be mandatory for all students, with both eyes and thumb impressions being scanned. Additionally, cameras have been installed in the medical hall to monitor student activities closely.
Medical student from West Bengal dies by ‘suicide’ in Bhubaneswar
A 23-year-old student of a private medical college in Bhubaneswar was found dead in her hostel room. The student, identified as Moubani Das, was scheduled to moderate a welcome function for freshers. Police suspect it to be a case of suicide and are investigating the cause and circumstances. Das’ room was locked from inside, and her mobile phone records are being examined. The college management has not commented on the incident.
A 23-year-old student of a private medical college in Bhubaneswar was found dead in her hostel room. The student, identified as Moubani Das, was scheduled to moderate a welcome function for freshers. Police suspect it to be a case of suicide and are investigating the cause and circumstances. Das’ room was locked from inside, and her mobile phone records are being examined. The college management has not commented on the incident.
