Stricter rules for online distance education soon
HRD Ministry will device a policy so
that institutions do not take students for a ride
New Delhi: The Central government is
going to tighten the noose on education institutions that provide distance
education through online mode.
Ministry
of Human Resource Development is in discussion with the University Grants
Commission (UGC) to device a policy by which institutions providing online
distance education are not able to “take the students for a ride”. The Ministry
wants a process of checks to be maintained on the institutions right from their
registration to conducting of exams.
The
ministry officials had meetings with the UGC in this regard and the final
policy is likely to be drafted soon, sources in the ministry said. “These days,
people are running shops in the name of education institutions. We want to keep
a check on such institutes without affecting the interest of the students. It
is good that the online medium is connecting students in all regions, many
institutes are taking undue advantage of this,” said a highly placed source in
the ministry.
While
there are clear rules for institutions providing distance education, there are
no specific guidelines for institutions offering education through online
medium. As per the rules, institutions providing distance education - both
private and government funded can give degrees to students in their own states,
but in the name of providing online education, many universities are flouting
these norms.
The suggestions that the ministry has proposed to keep a check on online
universities include keeping a check on the examination centres when these
universities are conducting exams and limiting their jurisdiction. “Students
will be able to take the course from anywhere but they will have to come to the
university to take the exam. The online exams do not have any authenticity.
Also, we want to install CCTV cameras in the examination halls where the exams
are being conducted and our invigilators will personally monitor the
examination centre,” the source added.
Taking
a strict stance on distance education, earlier this month, the ministry has
also sent a letter to the UGC asking them to register cases against
universities flouting norms.
Source | Daily News Analysis | 28 November 2016
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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