Journalism of Courage
POST A five-month long strike, the administration of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), which is set to commence its session for the film wing November 4 onwards, is planning to issue a directive later this week asking students to clear their fee dues within a month’s time.
Students said that when they contacted their departments on Monday to enquire about the class schedule, they were told that the classes will only commence once the students clear the fee dues. This decision was, however, reversed later in the day with the Acting Dean (Films) K Rajasekaran stating that the students will get a month’s time to clear the dues and it won’t have any impact on classes which will commence from November 4. Meanwhile, the classes for the TV wing have already started.
Officials said that nearly half of the 2013 (film) batch, which entered the second year a while ago, are yet to pay their tuition fee. Also, there are about half a dozen students from 2008 to 2012 batch who are yet to pay partial or full tuition fee amount.
“We held a meeting today with heads of various Films Wing departments. The students will get a month to pay their dues,” said Rajasekaran.
The earlier communication had irked some students who felt that it was unfair to not resume classes for those who have already paid the dues. “In my department, only few students are yet to pay the fee. Because of these students, why should we be made to suffer?” said a film direction student of the 2013 batch.
