IBA denies relaxation in attendance for students with Covid-19

Drawing criticism on social media, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has notified its students that they would not be provided any relaxation in attendance if they contract coronavirus in the coming semester, starting from September 15.

In an advisory issued to students, the varsity's administration informed them they would not be allowed any additional leaves on medical grounds if they tested positive for Covid-19.

IBA plans to stick to its existing attendance policy, which obliges full-time students to ensure at least 83 per cent attendance in each course in order to pass. If a student fails to meet the attendance criteria, he or she would fail the relevant course.

This allows each student up to four to five leaves in each course - in stark contrast to the 14-day quarantine period required if one is infected with the highly contagious virus, for which no vaccine is available yet.

However, apparently paying little heed to the pandemic health advisory, the IBA management has rather asked the students to utilise their leaves carefully.

While the decision has drawn flak from students, IBA public relations officer Haris Siddiqui told The Express Tribune that the management decided to uphold the existing attendance policy "so that students utilise their leaves only in cases of emergency."

He said the IBA could not make any exceptions for students with Covid-19, adding that many students had been excused from attending classes on medical grounds in the past. "[But] we try to get them to attend classes and not use the exception as an excuse."

Siddiqui further ruled out the possibility of the varsity reconsidering this decision. "Currently, making any change in the [attendance] policy is out of question," he said.

However, sources at the IBA, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that if a student contracted Covid-19, the decision to grant them additional leave on medical grounds would be made keeping in view their academic performance and CGPA.