Mumbai: 305 medical students could lose academic year over attendance

A decision on the 305 pupils’ fate will be taken soon. Representation pic

Dwindling attendance among medical students has become a significant concern for colleges and academics. Just a day after barring 305 MBBS students from two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) medical colleges in Mumbai from university examinations, officials and educators highlight the escalating issue of low attendance.

The civic body and the medical colleges are currently reconsidering the decision to debar the students, with a final verdict expected within
a day or two.

Among these 305 students, 180 first-year MBBS students are affiliated with Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College, associated with RN Cooper Hospital at Vile Parle, and another 125 students are from Lokmanya Tilak Medical College (LTMC), linked to Sion hospital.

A faculty member from Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College remarked, "Students are taught subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, with a requirement of 80 per cent attendance for practical and a 75 per cent attendance mandate for theory classes. These rules are communicated to students at the very beginning of the academic year; however, it is increasingly common for students to disregard these regulations. The problem of low attendance is steadily evolving into a concerning trend that demands prompt intervention."

The faculty member added, "We had even taken an undertaking from the students, and parents were made aware of the low attendance of the students. Only when stringent action is taken do people protest. They should have spoken to the children earlier. Had they been studying in private colleges, would this be allowed?"

The decision to debar these students from university examinations could significantly impact their academic progress, potentially leading to a year's loss. Many parents and students have sought the BMC's intervention, but authorities from the two colleges stress that the decision is under review and not final.

Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of LTMC linked to Sion hospital, acknowledged the attendance issue and its potential impact on students' academic progress. He said, "This is not a final decision, and we are working on a solution. We will announce it within a week or ten days."

Sudha Shenoy, a representative of parents, added, "Students are immersed in their preparations for the NEET PG exam. The initial years primarily focus on theory, leading students to spend significant time in the library. Moreover, the emergence of effective educational apps after the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted students' focus towards PG studies, which extensively cover clinical topics. The first two years mainly encompass pre-clinical coursework."

According to parents, students at other civic-run medical colleges like KEM and BYL Nair issued prior warnings and offered extra lectures for students with attendance issues as a final caution. These colleges have also warned students of the potential consequences for low attendance in the future.

Shenoy added, "The phenomenon of students skipping lectures is not recent. However, the fact that some students have attendance rates as low as 35 per cent is clearly unacceptable and necessitates intervention. In my opinion, colleges should have issued warnings or implemented debarment measures during the mid-term. This proactive approach would have emphasised the seriousness of the situation, potentially acting as a deterrent and, crucially, preserving these students' academic year."

One of the parents of a student studying at LTMC Sion hospital mentioned that the college has assured their children's participation in the exams, stating, "Our problem has almost been resolved. We too have asked our students to attend lectures regularly."

Dr Neelam Andrade, BMC's director of medical education, was unavailable for comment.

305
No. of students barred from exams