Thumbs up for distance mode

Warangal: The distance mode education that has been facing tough times for the last couple of years is finally back on track with the authorities leaving no stone unturned to save the reputation of the institution.

The changes as part of streamlining of courses introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have cast a shadow on distance education offered by the Kakatiya University (KU)’s School of Distance Learning Continuing Education (SDLCE). It may be noted here that SDLCE has a rich history of catering to the needs of disadvantaged groups living in remote and rural areas, working people, housewives and other adults who wish to upgrade or acquire knowledge and skills.

Notwithstanding its student-based service, the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), UGC’s regulatory council of the distance education programmes, did not extend its nod for some of the courses that have high patronage from the students. Against this backdrop, the DEB has accorded permission for the SDLCE to offer 29 courses for the next five academic years.

In fact, the SDLCE (KU) is one among a very few universities that have got permission from the DEB to offer distance mode education. The SDLCE has 188 study centres across the State. Some of the undergraduate courses offered by it were BA, BCom, BCom (Computers), Library Science and Journalism.

Among the postgraduation courses are MA (English, Telugu, Hindi, Sociology, Political Science, Tourism, Journalism, Social Work etc) and MCom.  In all, the institution is offering 29 courses. This apart, a notification for the admission of 500 students in BEd course will be issued in January. 

With the SDLCE authorities led by Director G Veeranna putting in huge efforts to attract the students through counseling at study centres, the number of admissions for the academic year 2018-19 witnessed a meteoric rise. In all, the SDLCE has enrolled a whopping 9,695 undergraduate admissions besides admitting 3,218 candidates for postgraduation courses.

Speaking to The Hans India, Director G Veeranna said: “Due to concerted effort of the officials of the SDLCE and its study centres, the number of admissions in undergraduate and postgraduate courses went up significantly. We have deputed counselors at study centres so that to improve student base.”

We are going to introduce online admissions next year, the Director said, explaining about the stringent rules of the UGC in regard with the admissions this year that were closed by October 20. He said that contact classes will begin for those who got admissions from December 23.

Further he added that annual examinations for the distance mode education students will be conducted simultaneously with the students of regular courses of the varsity.

According to SDLCE Press and Media In-charge Sangala Ephraim Raj, 50 per cent of the study material has been distributed to the newly joined students.