Question

write a 500 words essay about how attendance in university should not be compulsory.

Answer 1

Attendance in University should not be compulsory

     It is quite debatable whether the attendance in universities should be compulsory or not. On one hand, the teachers or professors want their student to be regular and attend classes in order to connect directly with the learning environment, and on the other hand, many students want to go for self-study and attend classes according to their freedom. Making attendance compulsory refers to the requirement of a critical percentage of attendance without which students won't be allowed to take exams, or to add the percentage of attendance in the final grades. Many students and even teachers and academicians argue that this would rather result in inefficiency in marking the student's potential, and is unfair.

     It is still arguable whether the freedom of attending classes is a question of freedom in terms of rights, or should be considered as a mandatory part of discipline. But, adding 10% or more part of final grades according to attendance is surely a poor judgment of student's performance. Saying something like attending lecture results in knowledge and not vice-versa should be definitely not entertained. The education theories suggest that knowledge in classes is a mutual phenomenon, and is affected if either end of teacher and students is not connected properly. Student's attention varies due to their past and different socioeconomic background, along with their current time and space. So it might be argued that not all students learn with the same pattern, and if the attendance is enforced by the institution, it might result to some students in a negative manner. Even if students are wrong about their choice of not attending classes, they will learn that eventually. But imposing attendance as compulsory is no way to make realize them that. It is the opposite of that; they may learn that they are oppressed by their institution and would react negatively to the very environment which was designed to enrich them with knowledge. The students who are or want to be ahead of their class are definitely worse off.

     Current students are the future decision makers. Their future decisions largely depend on their experience of taking and learning from taking wrong decisions. Studies suggest that creativity is affected if more than a critical amount of restrictions are imposed. Also, it is more of a matter of freedom of taking decisions. Of course, no teacher would want to lecture an empty class, but it would be a better judgment of the teacher's capability that how many students are attending their classes, without enforcement of attendance regulations. The attention of students is better if the teacher is better at communicating knowledge. Whatever is the case, the regulations should be revised according to the changing times, when teachers are not the only source of knowledge. Many students would like to learn in their own time and space, and not that which is to be held mandatory by the institution. Every student is different and is to be considered a different adult individual. Restrictions like these would be a regressive factor in their academic performance.

     Performing better in academics is a dynamic process. It should be considered as mutual relationship producing positive externalities. Theoretically, making attendance compulsory is even out of the framework designed for academia. Learning, in a greater ratio, is a matter of will, and these restrictions attack that very will - which is a requirement of the attention of the student.