Lucknow: In a role reversal, starting next academic session, students of the Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPunjab_Technical_University/" target="_blank">PTU) will assess their teachers, university officials said on Thursday.

Students will evaluate the performance of teachers across all 286 engineering and technology colleges of UPunjab_Technical_University/" target="_blank">PTU, on a specific scale that will include certain parameters, officials said.

The evaluation parameters will range from the teacher's academic expertise, punctuality, preparation before taking a class, conduct in classrooms and others, officials added.

"The main objective behind this move is to upgrade teaching standards in our educational institutions," UPunjab_Technical_University/" target="_blank">PTU vice-chancellor Prem Vrat told sources.

"Feedback from students, which is not generally taken, can assist us immensely in improving the teaching standard. The step will assist teachers in overcoming their weak areas, which could be inefficient communication skills, mode of teaching and others," Vrat said.

Vrat said: "Suggestions from students will break the age old tradition of one-way teaching in classrooms."

"The method to rate teachers will make classroom teaching interactive as students will also get a chance to rate their teachers," he added.

At present, there are about 12,000 faculty members associated with different colleges affiliated to UPunjab_Technical_University/" target="_blank">PTU, officials said.

Nearly, 150,000 students are pursuing various technical courses in UPunjab_Technical_University/" target="_blank">PTU, which governs all the engineering and technical institutes in Uttar Pradesh. IANS