Mumbai colleges look to holidays to make up for lost days

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In its myopic plan to get examination results out of the way, the University of Mumbai (MU) is missing the bigger picture. Classes have been put on hold in the absence of lecturers -- whose sole job currently is to only assess answer sheets -- forcing affiliated colleges to mull over conducting lectures on Sundays and public holidays to make up for the lost days.

"All of last week was declared non-instructional; lecturers were only asked to correct papers. No lecture was held in colleges. MU may heave a sigh of relief after declaring the results, but it's us who are going to inevitably suffer. First- and second-year students will complain about incomplete curriculum and delayed examinations. We have no choice but to hold lectures on Sundays as well as public holidays," said the principal of a reputed city college.

A senior professor of a Bandra college said even assignments and practical work have been delayed. "The delay will take a toll on academia."

Teachers also fear that they would have put in additional hours to complete the curriculum.