I'm not a student. But in my opinion, the student should adapt to the teacher. Unless it is half a group, then the situation is a bit different, Regards

Thank you Sandra for your question. It raises an important issue in higher education. We usually try to minimise changes in the schedule as much as we can. In postgraduate training, we have more flexibility and such changes are possible to occur for several reasons related to the students or the teachers. I think for the student that missed the classes, her supervisor (or the course coordinator) should talk to her and meet with her to find out the reasons for not answering the emails (supposed was provided by all students as the best contact option for them) and why she did not attend the classes.

Usually, in such situations you need to review the policies in your school/department regarding assessment, attendance and related situations. If you do not have policies covering this area, the course coordinator should start drafting a policy; it should be approved by the department offering the course and the postgraduate training program and your school.

AS per my experience at several universities, we do not need to repeat all classes for one student (I do not know how many days did you spend on these classes) as this will cause a lot of pressure on the teaching staff and other commitments they have. The best option for this student is that her supervisor go with her on key lectures given (I believe these sessions are about research methods and how to write a research report), then the remaining could be on application of the content as the student work on her thesis. These can be discussed during the research component. If there are written/oral examinations on the theory content, she should receive a copy of the powerpoint of all lectures given and work with her supervisor and her colleagues if there were areas that need explanation. She is a postgraduate student and should be accountable for her actions, this is important particularly with her poor communication skills, not responding to emails or contacting her supervisor or the course coordinator informing them about the reasons for her absence.

The best decision for that student should be discussed in the department, and a framework summarising an action plan should be reached, then the course coordinator or the supervisor meet with the student and inform her about the departmental decision (since several teachers are involved). A copy could be handed to her and her supervisor, plus providing her with a copy of the powerpoint. Her supervisor could meet with her may be two three times, each one hour long explaining key sessions. Her supervisor should be a reference point about her progress.

I hope this helps you. Best regards, Professor S Azer.

Samy Azar has given right answer. it will heavy load if the faculty conducts the classes for a single student. It will be better to discuss main topics or methods which will help that student in developing mature understanding and the supervisor should guide him better in evaluation of his work and recommending the related literature/ lectures which will help him/her at any time.

Dear Professor Samy Azer, thank you for your contribution, but it wasn't the student who didn't answer the emails, it were the supervisors that didn't reply to the student. The rest of the class had classes, but each student had a thesis supervisor, which may or not be the same other students had.

You are right Ajab Ali Lashari, "it is a heavy load if the faculty conducts the classes for a single students", so why do it in a class of 30 students... Is there any pedagogical strategy that I might have not heard of? If yes, why was one student left without classes?

Slawomir Goliszek I agree with you, but it was in a class of 30, why do this kind of change? If they all continued attending the class according to the schedule they were given at the beginning of the course, they all had had classes. When the teachers made the change, at least one student never got a reply from the supervisor giving him a schedule and a classroom for that subject, while his/ her colleagues continued having classes. All students are paying fees to attend this course.

Dear Sandra, it was not clear from what you have written. I think you need to discuss the case with the head of the department and show him/her the evidence. The only point they may raise, why did not you contact the department or the school as you did not receive a response from the supervisor; he or she may be traveling, left the university or in hospital. Make an appointment to meet with the head of the department and explain things to them. But I doubt, as stated earlier, that they will arrange a special course for one student. Work with the new supervisor to solve this issue. If you were my student, I would help you to pass this hurdle. Best of luck.

If I really understand your question, then it means the class should be reinstated for the students. Thesis for an integral part of the fulfillment to graduate. Moreover, the subject may attract some points as well; so could be the reason why it should be reinstated.

Contractually, yes they are. Students who pay fees are entitled to value for money and for the course to be fit for purpose. Cancelled classes might seriously affect contractual rights.

Since the responsibility is the lecturers, the onus is on the university to rectify the matter in a way suitable for the student.

when you give them the module outline of the course your are giving an unwritten contract about what you will deliver. If for any reason you are not able to deliver, the student are entitled to remonstrate with you to the extent that they can claim part of the fees. And rightly so

The problem I think goes beyond a purely practical issue.

There is in this case an underlying theme of school organization and is usually recurrent in higher education institutions, however it has even a mental health implication for the people who participate in the educational process.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322255784_FUNDAMENTOS_DE_LA_PREPARACION_PARA_EL_AUTOCUIDADO_DE_LA_SALUD_DE_LOS_PROFESORES?_sg=vVkFYgYKQPNR_9mFC1VDA9w0AIi_YjTVDhW0uYT0B6pHoL4vQTCor1QNn5OCrD_7YfA7ne_RC5-ISkSakXaiCFLWAzB7QLzxHbEAr8Ar.4XN-9rxLyPjNoaPNnCp44G6SXGe4-T4ZbzLIPCtNiQHMVH3wtzH2QW1mzk2SG6vxe-nyWf9USupqAVME73y94Q

There are similar topics discussed inChapter Quality of life and education in the knowledge society

Because the professor is in charge of the subject, so yes

When the issue is settle amicably, the students should be given opportunity to reschedule the classes mainly for the purpose of purposeful learning.

Interesting discussion

Arrangements should be made for the student to be able to partake in the thesis course to cushion her for the preparation of her thesis as well as earning some academic points. If the course can't be reinstated due to institutional and/or academic staff scheduling challenges, other opportunities must be availed her to catch up with her colleagues (one on one lecture, and so forth). She deserves it because she is not the prime cause of the situation but the academic supervisor.

Guess it is an access and equity issue and must be answered at the intitutional level. However, if email was the only contact point, it needed to be questioned. Ethically, yes you were definitely owed access to the information, but persistence and lateral thinking can get you places that one email won't. An analogue letter/phone call is another way! If the class could be shown to have been essential to your learning and without it you were rudderless in some area, then the department needs to be dealt with by faculty on your behalf. Student representative councils are a good move here too. I kick in doors if I get blocked- don't wait.

The student should also be attended to like others since it is also a criteria for accessing job offer after graduation. Although the student is at fault here, but the supervisor should have gone further to find out why there wasn't any response from the student.

I hope I got your question right

Thank you all for your contributions. I confess I was very pleased with the participation and attention that this question got.

Jumoke Soyemi, it wasn't the student who didn't answer the teacher, it were the teachers who didn't reply to the students' email, but you raise an important issue: criteria for accessing jobs, You are right, in this particular case, it can influence the students final grade and average, because he didn't have access to the same information. In this case this student was attending a teacher training course. So, if she/ he tries to apply for a job at a public school she will face a selection process which is mainly based on her final course average and the amount of time he/she has worked at a public school.

Catherine Jones, I agree with you "persistence and lateral thinking can get you places that one email won't".

Paul Olusegun Bankole class sessions were conducted by each students' supervisors. But, one student was left without sessions (there maybe others, that faced the same situation, but I don't know, I only know the majority of the class had sessions in group or individually with their supervisor(s)).

I agree with you Dickson Adom: "She deserves it because she is not the prime cause of the situation but the academic supervisor" and if by any reason they are unable to teach her/ him the sessions, they should warn their superiors and be replaced. The option should never be to leave the student without classes.

Olutosin Ademola Otekunrin and Ola Adel, unfortunately this student had to finish the course without any sessions, and in this particular case, it wasn't the first time the student was left without sessions. She/ He had attended a diffferent course at the same institution where he/she faced a similar situation.

Reinaldo Sequeiro, thank you for your contribution. You raise an important issue too: mental health. They are putting this student mental health at risk.

Borden Mushonga and Barry Turner you also raise an important issue: the fees. I agree with with you both and I would dare to add the following: I don't know much about law, but in my opinion this goes beyond the fees. The student has lost his/ her time. He/ she has paid to attend a course where classes were expected to take place at a particular time and place.

Stanley Wilkin and Harry Barton Essel I share the same opinion you do. They should have been reinstated in some way. It wasn't the students' fault.

Samy Azer thank you once more for your words. I did. I just hope they change their regulations and follow some of my recommendations to ensure all the students have easy access to valuable information concerning their rights.

Here is a lecture I give on breaches and remedies which covers the issue of loss of future prospects.

Thank you Barry Turner.