Dhaka University halts new enrollment for evening courses

The authorities of Dhaka University (DU) today asked all of its departments to halt new enrollment for the evening courses until formulation of a guideline and central monitoring team.

A committee headed by Pro-VC (Academic) was formed and asked to submit report on formulating a policy within five weeks. 

The academic council took the decision on Monday following the report of the committee formed to evaluate the "legitimacy" of the evening courses.

The committee on February 8 recommended to make a guideline and asked the departments stop enrolling students under evening courses until a guideline is formulated.

The committee found huge irregularities including certificate business, immorality in evaluating answer sheets and negligence in taking classes.

It also found that the evening courses are being operated in some departments despite teacher shortage. Even some departments are offering courses those are not related to their fields of study.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman told The Business Standard that the academic council considered the committee's report rational. That is why maximum members raised their voices for not enrolling new students into the evening courses.

"We will formulate a policy and central monitoring team to oversee the activities of the courses and they will ensure quality education," he said.  

The Dhaka University has a total of 12 institutions and 84 departments. Of them, evening courses are offered at 36 departments and 10 institutes alongside regular day shifts.

A total of 3,660 students take admission every year in the evening courses. At least Tk732 million is earned from evening courses under the nine departments if Tk 200,000 is taken from a student.