A student’s performance heavily depends on the teacher’s way of teaching. We’ve all had teachers whose classes were boring to death, and then there were some who’d present even the toughest of topics in such an interesting manner that you still remember the lecture.
But how far can you go to blame your school or college for your bad grades?
An Indian-origin alumni of Oxford University has sued his alma mater for £1 million (around ₹8.5 crores) for ‘boring’ teaching which led to him getting only a second-class degree, ultimately hampering his career growth!
Faiz Siddiqui studied in Oxford University around 16 years ago, in 2000. He claims that he could have made a bright career as an international commercial lawyer had he been awarded a first-class degree. Siddiqui studied modern history from the premier educational institute and has accused its staff of negligent teaching, which made him score less.
Siddiqui, who is suffering from depression and insomnia, blames it on the ‘disappointing examination result’ and also believes to have a ‘fundamental inability to hold down any professional day job for any significant length of time’.
While Roger Mallalieu, Siddiqui’s lawyer told the judge 4 out of 7 professors of Asian history were on sabbatical leave during the 1999-2000 academic year. Siddiqui particularly blames David Washbrook, an expert on the history of southern India between the 18th and 20th centuries, for boring teaching, as he was teaching under the pressure of staff shortage at the time.
Oxford University finds Siddiqui’s argument completely baseless and believes that it should be struck down because it’s been a long time since he graduated. Julian Milford, the university’s barrister, however agrees that “circumstances were difficult” during the year when Siddiqui graduated.
The judgment on the issue will come later this month. According to Siddiqui’s legal team, as reported by the PTI:
“(He’s) only one of a number of students who no doubt have proper cause for complaint against the university in relation to this matter”.