Dr. S. Ganesan
Regional Director, IGNOU
Normally, in our Indian family system, the education of the children is mostly decided by parents. The decision making process becomes great challenge for the parents, when their children completes school level education. Because, now the pathway to study higher education (college) have many variety of entries and exists. Now – a -days, parents along with their son/daughter visit distance education universities for seeking admission. The attitude of society has changed to adopt the Distance Education mode of learning system even at Under Graduation (UG) level. This may be due to the fact that among four graduates, one is from Distance Education mode; that is, nearly 25% graduates are from Distance Education method of learning.
Gaining the popularity, this 25% will soon reach 50% in the years to come. In other words, the scope of Distance Education will be 1:1. The Government of India Schemes for SC & ST population, gives free education at Under Graduation level studies such as BA, B.Com , B.Sc, BTS, BSW, BCA etc. ( in IGNOU). Thus, the forecast of ratio of regular college student and Distance Education (1:1) will be reached quickly by GoI schemes. Interestingly, your employer who is going to interview you (after your graduation) may also be from Distance Education mode. She/he may have obtained some specialization Diplomas/Post Graduation/Under Graduation from Distance Education Universities. Hence, the employers’ attitude towards Distance Education system will be more positive. Thus, your scope of getting employed by your employer is becoming brighter and brighter now. Being so, then how to select Distance Education University for your bright future? Here are some tips:
• It is the Distance Education University is recognized by UGC? Its Degrees, Diplomas too?
• It has national jurisdiction or limited to the state where the university is situated? Because you may not get higher education admission due to jurisdiction problem at later date.
• Is your possibility of mobility (frequent transfers etc.) can be managed in Distance Education University through its flexibilities and networks? If so, how easy and comfortable the procedures are?
• Is your choice Distance Education University has reputation/popularity at National/Global level? Because, you may apply or get offers for abroad jobs too.
• The quality of study materials/ Self Learning Materials is of good standard?
• How much time it really takes from admission ‘entry to get exit’ ( till Degree Certificate)
• Is the Distance Education University standards match with your capacity of learning at your own pace & speed?
By making some attempts to get required information/answers to above questions, both the parents and applicant will get sensitized towards Distance Education mode.
You must have noticed that same M.A. Degree is provided by different Distance Education Universities with different in numbers of papers (subjects). Some may have 4-papers per year; and others may have 5-papers or 6-papers in a year. Do you really interested in more papers? Honestly and academically the admission seeker (applicant) should analyze his/her requirements. Taking ‘tough path’ or ‘easy going’ is in the hands applicants. For Example, Science +2 students can choose either B.Sc. or B.A. by knowing the magnitude of difficulty level of each degree course.
Under this situation of confusion, both the parents and applicants can go through following steps:
• The titles of subjects and its syllabus/topics covered etc., given in the prospectus.
• Read few pages of study material of one or two subjects of both B.A. and B.Sc.
• Go through the previous exam question papers and assignments questions.
• Meet both the group of students (of B.A. and B.Sc.) of same Distance Education University and interact till you are able to take a decision.
• Meet your Study Centre Coordinator and subject Academic Counselors at your nearby learning support centres.
• Match your future plans with your qualifications to be obtained from Distance Education University.
Every one of you will agree with me that getting into Distance Education University is easy as compared to the process of completing the Degree/Diploma with in stipulated time. Keeping all the facts in view, we can say that the doors are ‘OPEN TO ALL’ in Distance Education Universities; but the right choice is yours. Take a right decision at right time by selecting right Distance Education University as well.
