Row over distance education stamp by SDLCE (KU) intensifies

Warangal: The row over differentiating certificates issued by the School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education (SDLCE) of Kakatiya University and of regular certificates issued by the university is escalating into a serious issue. The student leaders affiliated to organisations like TRSV, ABVP, PDSU, KURSA, MSF, AIBSF, TSF, SC/ST Students Organisation, and AMSA have demanded in-charge Registrar Prof Khaja Althaf Hussain that the decision be withdrawn.

It might be noted that during a recent meeting, the Kakatiya University’s Standing Committee had decided to imprint a seal ‘Distance Education’ on the certificates issued by the SDLCE to differentiate them from regular certificates issued by the varsity. Objecting to this, student leaders have submitted a memorandum to Prof Hussain on Wednesday at his chamber during which student leaders B Prashanth, S Anil, E Rakesh, Murali, Ranjith and others entered into heated arguments with the former.

The Registrar, on his part, tried to explain the students that he had no role in the decision by the Standing Committee and that he was not its member but only a secretary. He claimed that his role is limited to coordinating and convening the committee meetings and recording the minutes of the meetings.

The student leaders continued to argue with him demanding an assurance to withdraw the decision by the committee which the Registrar denied saying it was not under his purview. Vice-chancellor T Chiranjeevulu who is the committee chairman and the deans who are the members of the committee have to decide on it, he added.

Later the students went out shouting slogans against the Registrar, staged a dharna in front of the SDLCE office and burnt his effigy. They expressed anguish over the KU authorities’ decision and wanted the Registrar to be removed from the post. Later, speaking to the media, the Registrar said that during the Standing Committee meeting, someone had raised the issue of issuing separate certificates for distance mode and regular stream courses as being practiced by some universities in the country.

Prof Hussian said that the Vice-Chancellor wanted a resolution to be passed on the issue after holding discussion. A provision was added that a committee has to be formed to study the UGC norms and the practices of other universities offering distance education before taking a final decision, he added.

“Even in the case of Osmania University, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) suggested to issue separate certificates for distance and regular courses and there are records in this regard,” he added. Referring to the allegation that the SDLCE Director Prof Ch Dinesh Kumar was not invited to Standing Committee meeting, the Registrar said the Director was not a member of the committee and hence he was not invited.