No study, all fest

On the annual sports day, if students insisted, the college declared a holiday on the next day. The College Day function was held in the eve...

On the annual sports day, if students insisted, the college declared a holiday on the next day. The College Day function was held in the evening, but classes were dropped. The principal read out the report on the college activities, the chief guest raised a toast to the institution and one of the brighter students replied to the same. During the last few working days of the academic year, the individual classes held their ‘socials’ which consisted of group photographs with the faculty, snacks and coffee and, for the first time, some interaction between the male and female students. Socials were held after classes were over for the day.

This was the routine in my college days during the 1960’s. College authorities were particular that academic activities not be interrupted. All colleges easily fulfilled today’s requirement of 180 teaching days per academic year.

Today, I am associated with half a dozen colleges in Mumbai teaching journalism at the degree level. And I have reconciled myself to all sorts of interruptions. During almost every lecture, half a dozen students ask permission to leave the class because they are needed for meetings with the college authorities for hosting youth festivals in their own colleges and participating in those organised by others. The colleges hosting the functions abandon all classes. Class rooms and students are needed for rehearsals and, more importantly, for finalising sponsorship details.

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What price academics? Recently, the Joint Director of Higher Education in Maharashtra, A.D. Sawant, observed that with so many festivals, many city colleges could not achieve the target of 180 teaching days per year. Sawant said his department was collecting data on the subject and would initiate action against errant colleges. College fests were okay, he said, but couldn’t they be held during weekends and holidays?

Whether students participate or not, they must be involved in sponsorship activities. Every boy and girl is forced to get ads for the souvenirs published on the occasion. The more enterprising students are unleashed to approach corporates. Today’s college fests need lots of money.

Colleges and students are delighted that fests are big news in life style media coverage. Most college principals in Mumbai seem gratified at the initiative and drive of their students in organising fests.

The joint director of education may be disturbed that teaching hours in the colleges are curtailed. But with most of the students and principals disagreeing, Mumbai university may reach a stage where examinations are replaced with fest activities and colleges and students graded according to their ability to collect corporate funds and hold lavish fests.