The year 2008 was quite significant for the Panjab University considering that elections were held to elect members of the administrative wing, Senate and Syndicate. While the grant of Rs 100 crore for PU was seen as the harbinger of the good times to come, the unprecedented number of violent incidents reported from the campus dampened the spirits.

The highs

* Uniform fee structure: The biggest decision of the year was the introduction of a uniform fee structure for the PU and its affiliate colleges. After many controversies, however, it was decided that while the Administration would decide the fees of the government colleges, the private colleges would adhere to the fee fixed by PU from the next academic session.

* OBC quota implemented: The university decided to implement seven per cent reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from this year. It received a grant of Rs 5 crore from the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the purpose. Another reason to cheer was the special grant of Rs 100 crore for PU from the PM’s office, which it plans to spend on renovation, extension of departments and for the construction of new hostels.

* Re-employment scheme: Another first of-its kind initiative was the re-employment scheme for retired professors. The scheme, a brainchild of Vice-Chancellor Prof R C Sobti, however, came with a condition that those seeking re-employment furnish affidavits saying they would not move the Supreme Court. This again drew criticism but nearly 37 professors were re-employed under the scheme.

The lows

* Campus ‘war zone’: Many incidents relating to violence were reported through the year in both the university and the colleges. While the worst was the case of a student stabbed in full public view while appearing for exams, another case saw a student leader being beaten up outside the V-C’s office, an incident in which the V-C also sustained injuries. Even after a counselling cell was constituted, cases of group clashes continued to be reported through the year.

* Ragging the rules: While several cases of ragging were reported from places like Hotel Management College, Dental College and PU hostels, a ragging incident at Theatre department made headlines after all the six students involved were expelled from the hostels and the department.

* 58 PU professors retire unceremoniously: After losing a legal battle in the High Court, 58 professors from the university retired in a day. The V-C was criticised for the move and was blamed for the “inappropriate” move.

* U-turn on Central university status: Those vouching for the grant of central status to the university were elated when the Punjab Government gave a no objection letter to PU stating they had no issues with it being declared a central university. Within a week, however, celebrations turned sour when the state government took a complete U-turn and withdrew the letter. Not much progress has been made in the matter ever since.

SCHOOLS

While the Education department received accolades on introducing innovative trends like smart classes and theme-based classrooms, allegations of providing unhygienic meals to students put a question mark on their efforts. Director Public Instructions (Schools) S K Setia bid farewell to the office after a year-long tenure marked by controversies and innovative, at times irrational, ideas.

The highs

* In tune with e-learning: Realising the importance of technology, private schools took to smart classes in a big way. If some schools started with a few classes, there were others that based the entire lessons on the concept of e-learning. School authorities reasoned that since it is an audio-visual aid, it helps in a better understanding and retention.

* Holistic development: Besides academics, government schools organised a moral education week to instill the right values while private schools organised movie screening, excursion trips and yoga classes among other things. In order to enhance performance, special courses in the Art of Living and yoga were organised for teachers of various schools.

* Centralised counselling: For the first time, the Education department held centralised admissions for Class XI. Though the department outsourced the entire event to a private firm, the concept helped in systematic and streamlined admission.

The lows

* No entry for EWS: Despite instructions from the Education department, many private schools refused to give admission to children belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). As the department and schools battle it out in the court, it is the students who are at the receiving end of all the chaos.

* Uncertainty over 50 ‘ambitious’ proposals: During the tenure of S K Setia, as many as 50 plans were mooted, a majority of which are still pending. Some of the more interesting plans included providing laptops to principals, uniforms for teachers and students without school bags. With Setia no longer in office, his ambitious plans are clogged with uncertainty.