Students Forced to Attend Class While Ill, Attendance Rules Criticized

Recent incidents underscore a critical issue within higher education: stringent attendance policies that disregard student health. A 2025-batch B.Sc. Nursing student at King George's Medical University (KGMU) tragically died of dengue, with peers reporting her distress over attendance requirements even while severely ill. Similarly, a student at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre died of jaundice, with allegations of mishandled medical leave and pressure to perform duties while ailing.

The older UGC 2003 regulations mandated 75% attendance, but the 2025 regulations empower individual institutions to set their own minimums, often between 75-80%. However, a 10% accommodation for medical emergencies is common. For medical and nursing courses, requirements can be even higher, with the Nursing Council of India mandating 80% theory and 100% practical attendance. This leaves little room for students with chronic conditions.

Students like Alex, diagnosed with transverse myelitis, face immense pressure. Forced to choose between attending classes with a dislocated kneecap or losing his scholarship, he continued to attend, worsening his condition. Another student with an autoimmune condition was told to take amla and attend classes, with her leave requests dismissed as laziness. These instances reveal systemic inflexibility, bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of institutional sensitivity towards student well-being.

Experts advocate for greater sensitization among faculty and administration regarding chronic illnesses. They suggest moving beyond documentation-heavy policies towards a more understanding, case-by-case approach. Student-faculty committees could mediate, ensuring attendance requirements maintain educational integrity without penalizing students facing genuine health challenges. The current system, often creating fear and a sense of distance, needs reform to foster a culture of support.