Dr. S. Ganesan
Regional Director, IGNOU
For human learning, the sky is the limit. In other words, in mathematical term the limit is from minus infinitive (-∞) to plus infinitive (+∞). To enjoy the limitless knowledge and unlimited learning process, there are requirements of channels to facilitate it. One such channel of education is through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system. Having embedded with enormous amount of flexibilities in ODL system, the utilization of such facilities are less-known or under-utilized by distance learners.
Free Entry: For taking admission in almost in all academic courses (barring a few), the Open and Distance Learning universities keep their doors open; that is, no need of facing entrance test providers does not require the screening process to limit the admission entry. But still many of the higher education aspirants ask the question of entrance test process at reception counter of IGNOU, Regional Centre, Port Blair. It is like searching the doors in a building, which has only walls, but no doors.
Considering the constrains of adult learners belonging to lower/middle level managerial categories, the IGNOU also relaxed the requirement to qualify OPENMAT (Entrance Exam for Management Courses) for PG Diploma in Management Studies namely, PGDHRM, PGDDM,PGDOM, PGDFM. With more and more flexibilities, the reach of Open and Distance Learning is extended to reach the needy learners. However, still the reaching the ‘un-reached’, reaching the ’to-be-reached-target’ population and reaching the ‘all sections’ of population etc, are challenges for Open and Distance Learning system managers.
Degree Admission without +2: Is it mandatory to have Hr. Sec. or Plus Two qualification to get admission in UG Degree Programme? The answer is ‘NO’. Having completed 18-years of age, one is eligible to join BPP of IGNOU, which is a bridge course to get into I-year BA/B.Com. The 18-years old boy /girl need not have any schooling also. In other words, the requirement to take admission in UG (through BPP) is only your self-motivation rather school certifications. This real fact of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system is less-known to general public in general and school drop-outs in particular. All the school teachers need to be trained to guide their students to take Open and Distance Learning courses in case of not getting seat in regular colleges. The awareness level of school, college teachers towards Open and Distance Learning flexibilities, provisions etc, are to be updated time-to-time. The link between the school system and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system is to be established to strengthen the awareness drive.
Go beyond Degree purpose: Not all the registered learners of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system join a MBA programme, for the sake of certificate purpose. By completing 21-years to get MBA degree certificate is not enough for few higher level aspirants. Their thirst of knowledge may not be quenched by mere completion of MBA. They aspire to earn few more specialization diplomas in management such as HRM, MM, OP besides their single specialization subject in MBA. To meet such requirements, IGNOU like Open and Distance Learning system providers keep the un-limited option to study more than 21 papers too. Having the capacity, one can even register for all the 63 papers of different specializations of management studies. On completion of each specialization, he/she can be eligible to get specialization diplomas at every stage. Imagine a situation, where a student has successfully completed 42 papers of MBA in different streams of specialization. Shall we call him/her as double MBA degree holder?
What is more important here in the motivation as the learner to go beyond the simple requirement of MBA and to put hard work to qualify double /2-times (42= 2X21),, MBA or triple/3-times MBA (63=3X21). This ‘2-times’ or ‘3-times’ are not simple numerical equivalence; but, indicates the higher level of academic knowledge in management subjects. Very rarely, such ‘beyond-21- courses’ registration are observed in IGNOU. Above example is one of untouched flexibilities of Open Distance Learning system existing in India.
Continue the Study as your wish: as we all know the distance learner his/her own family/social/official constraints to continue the studies even in Open Distance Learning system. To meet the challenges of time to study, the Open Distance Learning system normally provides 2-to-3-times extra duration of study. For instance, a PG Diploma in Distance Management (PGDDM) can be completed in a minimum period of 1-year or within the minimum period of study of 3-years also. For extended of any period of study (beyond one year), there is no need of any permission, no need to pay extra-fee etc., are some of the in-built flexibilities of Open Distance Learning session.
Minimum period Maximum period
Certificate Courses 6-months 2-years
BA/B.Com 3-years 6-years
Master Degree 2-years 4-years
Without of the knowledge of such prevailing facility, some distance learners discontinue their study as if the registration expired after minimum period of study.
Non-Sequential Registration/Payment of Fee:-
Imagine a student, who has money to pay I-semester MCA fee; but, not having money during II-semester registration period. He /she can skip a semester and continue the study at next to next semester also. The restriction/ rigid rule to pay fee in every semester linearly is not adopted in Open Distance Learning system. Both the flexibilities of extra time and payment of fee can be well utilized by distance learners as per their academic or financial comforts. Breaks in sequence is normally required by distance learners, due to transfers/pregnancy /family & financial reasons. The Open Distance Learning system considered the conditions of its learners and has made provision to continue, complete the study of his/her choice.
For example, one can register 6-semesters of MCA linearly /sequentially as mentioned below: (within minimum period of three years study)
Semester-I January-2018 session
Semester-II July-2018 session
Semester-III January-2019 session
Semester-IV July-2019 session
Semester-V January-2020 session
Semester-VI July-2020 session
Non-linearly, within maximum period of six years, one can also register the six semesters of MCA as mentioned below:
Semester-I January-2018 session
Semester-II January-2019 session
Semester-III July-2019 session
Semester-IV January-2020 session
Semester-V January-2021 session
Semester-VI July-2023 Session
Some of the flexibilities existing is Open Distance Learning Institutes/universities are not-known to even its staff members too. One of the reason for such situation is non-utilization/poor-utilization of such flexibilities by learners.
Time-to-time the Open Distance Learning System has considered the problems of distance learners and addressed the issues with student-friendly flexible rules and regulations. Last Sunday, a Naval Officer, who landed at Port Blair instead of Vishakhapatnam, was permitted to take MBA entrance test (OPENMAT) at IGNOU Port Blair centre. Such flexible facilities are available in Open and Distance Learning system; which the conventional system doesn’t have. But the existence of communication gap between distance learners and open Distance Learning universities with special reference to flexibilities plays a negative role in implementation. It directly and in-directly affects the higher education system of our country. Let us all try to create good amount of awareness about the flexibilities of Open and Distance Learning system for easy, smooth and comfortable study, for needy students of India.
