Many students were stopped from taking exams in this college of Delhi, why did the principal take such a step?

The students of Stephens who were stopped from taking the exam say that they should have been given at least one chance to clarify their position, but the principal left the college for 10 days without giving any information.

54 first year students have been stopped from giving exams in Delhi's St. Stephen's College. In this regard, the college had issued a notice on June 4, in which it was told that there are 54 such first year students who did not fulfill the minimum limit of 66.7% attendance. Due to this, these students were not allowed to sit in the exam which started from June 9. In such a situation, the students have expressed their displeasure. They say that the college management is not ready to listen to any of their side.

Students said this

The Stephens students who were stopped from giving the exam say that according to the college procedure, such students should have been given at least a chance to meet the principal and clarify their situation, but the principal went out of the college for 10 days without giving any information. Meanwhile, the exams started from June 9, in which these students were not allowed to appear for the exam. The students say that there were many reasons behind their absence. These include medical or family emergency, participation in sports or other programs on behalf of the college or being affected by the recent attack in Pahalgam, etc.

This allegation was made on the principal

The students say that when the principal returned, he refused to meet the students. At the same time, many students along with their parents and guardians waited for him at the college gate the whole day (from 8 am to 4 pm). Even after this, the meeting could not take place. The students allege that the principal misbehaved with them. Also, he refused to meet them in person and even threatened to suspend them.

College management did not help

First year students say that during this time a girl student came on the verge of fainting due to nervousness, but the college management refused to provide any help like wheelchair or ambulance. The girl student was also threatened by the principal's guards. The students were not even given a chance to explain the reason behind their absence. When this matter was put before the senior teachers, they said that they could not do anything. The important thing is that last year also more than 100 students were punished just for not attending the assembly, which raised questions on the strictness of the administration.

Students expressed this concern

Many students faced medical or family emergencies, yet no relief was given. The same strict rules were applied to everyone, whatever the circumstances. The attendance criteria kept changing in every semester and was announced at the end, due to which the students did not get any information in advance.

In previous years, students were allowed to appear in the examination by giving an undertaking, which was not given this time. Earlier, decisions were taken after taking opinion from the departments. Now that process has been abolished.

The principal took all the decisions at his own level and was absent for 10 days. Students allege that administrative work is hindered due to the post of vice-principal being vacant for years and there is no one to listen to the concerns and complaints of the students.

The college administration did not give any answer.

No clarification has been given by the college administration on this entire incident. ABP News tried to take the side of Stephens College Principal John Varghese, but he could not be contacted till the time of writing the report.