Amid the battle between Delhi University (DU) vice-chancellor Deepak Pental and the teachers' association over the introduction of the semester system, comes a report (Hindustan Times, Thursday) saying that teachers have failed to complete internal assesment of students. Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), however, has not only denied the report but also accused the VC of resorting to "diversionary tactics".

“The vice chancellor is using diversionary tactics to divert attention from the real issue,” DUTA president Aditya Narayan Mishra told Governance Now.

The report said the battle between teachers and VC will delay the results of the students. It said that third-year students will be affected most as it will delay their future applications to higher institutions.

The DUTA and VC have been at loggerheads over the implementation of the semester system in the premier university. DU introduced the semester system at the undergraduate level on June 5, 2009.

“DUTA is demanding a proper deliberation and discussion on the issue otherwise courses will be diluted,” Mishra said. He said that DU is one of the oldest universities and it has never let a tussle delay the sessions.

Saroj Datta, an associate professor in the department of history in Kalindi College, said DUTA is taking the right path. “But we won’t let the students suffer. Paper correction is going on and students’ interests won’t be affected,” she added.

A professor who didn’t want to be named said that talks within DUTA were on to soon release the result of the third-year students so that they don’t suffer. “The problem that we have with the semester system is that even the syllabus has not been reframed or restructured,” the professor added.

But many students prefer the semester system. Rachit Pandey, a third-year student of B.Com (Hons.) in Deshbandhu College, said the semester system will suit a lot of students as they would become regular in their studies. “The results of students would be better,” he said.

Pandey said the teachers oppose the semester system because it doesn’t suit them. “It will mean that they will have to work more and become regular so that is why they are against it,” he added.

Also see: DU teachers have crossed the limits by delaying results of internal assessment