Calcutta University brings back attendance marks for UG students, 5 marks added to internal assessment

Calcutta University has approved 5 marks for attendance as part of the 25-mark internal assessment component for undergraduate students, bringing back an attendance-based evaluation system that was removed in 2023.

The university’s Syndicate, its highest decision-making body, unanimously approved the proposal. Vice-Chancellor Asutosh Ghosh said the decision is intended to encourage students to attend classes regularly and improve classroom participation.

“Syndicate members unanimously agreed that students must return to classrooms and all members supported reintroducing attendance marks. The score will motivate students to attend classes regularly,” CU vice-chancellor Asutosh Ghosh said.

Principals of affiliated colleges have welcomed the decision, saying classroom attendance declined after attendance marks were removed with the introduction of the Curriculum and Credit Framework (CCF) in 2023.

Several college principals noted that the earlier system had a separate allocation for attendance. Before the CCF was introduced, 10 marks were assigned for attendance.

According to the principals, removing those marks had a noticeable impact on the classroom teaching-learning environment as fewer students attended lectures.

“It’s unfortunate that students will attend lectures only because marks will be set aside for it but we must accept the reality. . If this move can bring them back to classrooms, it is definitely a welcome decision,” said Indrila Guha, principal of Basanti Devi College.

Tilak Chatterjee, principal of Bankim Sardar College, also said linking attendance with academic rewards could encourage students to attend classes more consistently.

“As soon as attendance becomes rewarding, class attendance will improve,” he said.

Chatterjee also recalled the college’s experience with an attendance-based incentive introduced in 2017. The college had introduced a special attendance scholarship, which he said produced positive results in improving attendance. However, attendance declined again after the scholarship was discontinued.

Manas Kabi, principal of Asutosh College, said the college has continued to follow the university’s attendance requirement for students appearing in examinations. The institution requires students to maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible to sit for exams.

“We constantly remind our students about the rule. Even after marks were abolished in 2023, we maintained the 75% attendance cap. We welcome the reintroduction of marks as a reward can motivate even the most reluctant students to return to the classroom,” he said.

The allocation of marks for attendance was part of the earlier Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS). Under the CBCS, 10 marks were assigned to attendance, while another 15 marks were allocated for internal assessment.

The assessment structure changed after Calcutta University introduced the CCF in 2023. The 10 attendance marks and 15 internal assessment marks under the earlier system were replaced by marks for tutorial projects or practicals.

College authorities said the revised arrangement did not necessarily encourage students to attend regular classroom lectures, as students could receive marks through tutorial projects or practical work without the same level of classroom participation.

The university’s latest decision will therefore restore attendance as a component of undergraduate internal assessment, with 5 marks now reserved for attendance out of the total 25 internal assessment marks.

The move has received support from principals who believe the academic incentive could encourage students to return to classrooms and improve regular participation in undergraduate courses.