Collegians not ready to return to campus yet

Students head inside on the first day of reopening, at Sathaye College, Vile Parle, on October 20. Pic/Satej Shinde

The turnout of students at city colleges remains low even a month after they reopened their campuses for in-person lectures. Educationists said many students do not seem motivated to return to campus in the absence of extracurricular activities, while there are others who have become comfortable with the online mode of learning. There are also practical issues, like incomplete vaccination and a lack of clarity on hostel accommodation.

After a gap of over a year and a half, colleges in the city reopened their campuses for physical classes on October 20. The Higher & Technical Education Department's condition was that all students and the staff must be fully vaccinated. Colleges reopened with much zeal even though the response was low on the first few days, as most students had not taken both their Covid-19 vaccine doses. There was hope that the campuses would see more students in the following weeks. However, a month later, the situation hasn't changed much. Most city colleges are recording a physical attendance of about 10-20 per cent.

Many in comfort zone

The low attendance is because "all students are not fully vaccinated yet. However, it is more about having the option to not step out of their comfort zones, as online learning continues. Travelling is also a hassle for many and they want to avoid that," said Dr Ancy Jose, principal of Nagindas Khandwala College. Dr Jose also shared an interesting observation she made during discussions with students - the lack of any other activity on the college campus is also keeping them away. "As per the regulation, no activities can be held on campuses, which students are really interested in during their college years. As the campus is open only for studies, which are easily possible online, many prefer to stay at home," she added.

There is fear, too

Besides, several students are out of town and cannot return until hostels are also reopened. "Many of our students are out of Mumbai, and there is no clarity on hostel accommodation yet. Even if parents want to look at the option of renting a flat, there is still no complete assurance that the Covid-19 threat is gone forever. The second wave has instilled a lot of fear among many people. Moreover, youngsters may have a good immunity, but they could become carriers of the Coronavirus, which can prove fatal for the elderly at home. Considering all this, many students are preferring to continue their study online," said Dr Pooja Ramchandani, principal of H R College.

"Maybe the gathering for exams at the end of the semester may ease students into the new normal," she added. Many students studying in Mumbai colleges come from the interiors of Maharashtra too. They have no option but hostel accommodations if they have to begin learning in offline mode. But the state government has yet not given any clarity on when hostels can reopen.