JOIN USEducation has posed a big challenge for the human community. It is the sector where the government has invested more funds but not been able to reach the expected goal due to lack of proper facilities.
The country is facing the challenge of illiteracy and there is big gap between the literate and illiterate community. This gap if filled with the entry of Indira Gandhi National Open University which is trying hard to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio by offering education through Open and Distance Learning mode.
Indira Gandhi National Open University has commenced its operations in 1985 with its primary objective of providing superior quality distance education services to aspiring people. The key purpose of IGNOU is to provide quality education with a low cost to large sections of population especially to the disadvantaged groups who are devoid of the opportunity to access education through regular mode and to assist the individuals who are unable to complete their education for different reasons. IGNOU has covered almost 4 million learners in India through the network of 67 Regional centres and around 3,000 learner support centres by offering about 500 Certificate, Diploma, Degree and PhD programmes.
IGNOU through its distance education has really opened a new wave of opportunities for those who aspire to continue their studies. Apparently IGNOU has helped the professionals, school and college dropout s, housewives, and many others to fulfill their dreams. It has immense relevance, particularly in a country like India, where pursuing education is a costly affair. IGNOU is provides counseling and coaching services to its learners who are enrolled for various Post Graduate, Graduate and Professional programmes like MBA, B Ed, M Ed, Nursing and many other traditional courses and it is the best premier university that provides coaching and guidance of distance education courses with a difference.
The flexible Admission and the Examination twice a year, the flexible counseling schedule, learner friendly study materials and the efficient and effective learner support services by Regional Centres and the Study centres help the distant learners to overcome their many time-constraints imposed by personal responsibilities and commitments. Furthermore, there is the scope for increased access to more experts in the field and other counselors from diverse geographical, social, cultural, economic, and experiential backgrounds.
As the population at large becomes more involved in continuous learning beyond the limitations of normal schooling age, time and distance, distance education programs through IGNOU can act as a pathway for learning and are at least as effective as face-to-face learning programs. To conclude, we can say that IGNOU through its distance education in India has truly transformed the education scenario and contributing to a great extent for the expansion of education in particular and to the development of the country in general.
(The writer is Regional Director, IGNOU Panaji Regional Centre, Goa)