Soon, college will not be the same. And skipping classes — or college — will not be the same as before.

City colleges are set to conduct parent teacher association (PTA) meetings.

Taking the lead, Government College, Sector 11, held its first PTA meeting on Saturday. And the objective, organisers say, was to discuss attendance, behavioural problems, and academic performance of students.

Now, the UT Administration has instructed other government colleges to conduct PTA meetings on quarterly basis. Private colleges have toed the line.

College authorities feel PTA meetings will bridge the communication gap between parents, teachers and students, and help control unruly students.

“Students bunk classes and at times, skip examinations without parents’ knowledge. PTA meetings will ensure that parents have complete information about what their child is doing,” Professor Surinder Singh of Government College for Girls, Sector 11, says.

“Since there is no corporal punishment in colleges, there is no check on mischievous elements. At least we will be able to tell parents about their wards’ behaviour so that they discipline him,” Prof B K Varmani of DAV College, Sector 10, says.

Principals say the idea is not to infringe upon the students’ freedom, but to guide them. “At times, students are unable to handle the amount of freedom college offers. These sessions between them, parents and teachers will help them strike a balance,” Principal of S D College, Sector 32, Dr A C Vaid, says.

“In college, students feel they have grown up. Parents also lose interest in their studies. These meetings will help in forging a bond between teachers and students and providing timely information in case the child is on the wrong track,” Dr Puneet Bedi, principal, MCM DAV College for Girls, adds.

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