Intruding into students' zone?

If students thought that college meant an independent life sans any discussion engaging their parents and teachers unlike school Parents Teachers Meetings (PTMs), then this might annoy them.

Delhi University is planning to form a Parents’ Coordination Committee for better administration and policymaking. The committee, slated to be functional by the end of this year, would discuss and give recommendations to the authorities for improvements in the university. The committee will have parent representatives from all colleges of the varsity.
Though it may sound positive, many find that the decision blurs the very basic difference between school and college by involving parents in matters related to students. Metrolife talks to students to get their reaction on having something similar to PTMs in college. Expectedly, they are not amused at the ‘intrusion’.

Anukriti Agarwal, an English (Hons) students of Kalindi College, says, “College is a place where we learn through our own experiences. Involving parents at any level is not a good idea. This needs to be understood by both university and parents. We need our own space to grow up.”

Some students are fine with meetings between their parents and the university’s authorities and teachers as long as ‘petty’ details are not discussed among them. Isha Sharma, a final year students of DU, says, “If parents are not apprised of the details like short of attendance and students irregularity in classes, there is no harm in it. Else it will hamper the development.”

“In college, we prepare ourselves for joining big organisations after some time. It is for the first time when we are away from a restrictive environment. If they don’t let us come of our cocoon, it will hamper our development,” she adds.

Most colleges already have bodies and committees for students’ welfare, grievances and matters related to course curriculum. Therefore, some question the need for one more body, while there are those who believe that this might work out.

Radhika Trikha, a second year students of Dyal Singh College (evening), says, “Since the introduction of semester system, I anyway don’t find any difference in college and school. Authorities take so many decisions that do not  work out. Why not one more initiative? Today’s parents are very open-minded. I don’t find any harm in taking their suggestions for better functioning of the DU.”

Many feel otherwise. Vaibhav Sharma, a final year student, says, “There are already so many bodies and committees, what is the need to add one more and that too involving parents who may not be experts in matters of university administration and management.”