Hyderabad: Degree students in Telangana will now be required to maintain at least 75% attendance to qualify for fee reimbursement, as universities across the state crack down on chronic absenteeism and aim to bring more discipline to college campuses.
The decision came out of a meeting held Thursday at the Telangana State Council of Higher Education, where vice-chancellors from seven state-run universities met under the chairmanship of Balakista Reddy.
Though the attendance rule has long existed on paper, university officials admitted it was rarely enforced. That’s set to change. In a unanimous decision, the VCs agreed to strictly implement the policy going forward.
“It’s time we tie financial benefits to academic commitment,” one vice-chancellor remarked during the meeting. Officials believe the tougher stance will push students to take attendance seriously and help raise academic standards.
Also on the agenda was easing the academic burden. The council signed off on a plan to reduce the total credit requirement for undergraduate degrees from 150 to 142, part of a broader effort to streamline the curriculum.
