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Date: 2nd November, 2007
Dear Mr.
Prime Minister,
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) believes that a
radical reform of the system of open and distance education (ODE) is imperative
to achieve the objectives of expansion, inclusion and excellence in higher
education. The significance is obvious. For one, more than one-fifth of the
students enrolled in higher education are in the ODE stream. For another, ODE
has an enormous potential to spread higher education opportunities beyond the
brick and mortar world. But there are reasons for concern. First, the quality
of higher education provided in large segments of ODE, particularly in
correspondence courses in universities, leaves much to be desired. Second, it
is not sufficiently recognised that ODE provides educational opportunities not
only to those who discontinue formal education on account of economic or social
compulsions, but also to young school leavers who are simply unable to secure
admission in the formal stream at universities. It is time to address these problems.
There is a clear need to improve the quality of ODE and to make it more appropriate
to the needs of society. It is just as important to expand opportunities in
higher education through the use of technology in ODE. It would not be possible
to attain a gross enrolment ratio of 15 percent by 2015 without a massive
expansion in ODE. In this endeavour, we must not forget that ODE is seen as
inferior to conventional classroom learning. This perception, and the reality,
both need change. We must realise that ODE is not simply a mode of educational
delivery; but an integrated discipline engaged in the creation of knowledge.
In light of the above, we constituted a Working Group
composed of distinguished experts in this field, chaired by Prof. Ram Takwale,
former vice-chancellor, IGNOU. The names of the members of the working group
are listed in the annexure. Based on inputs provided by the working group and
consultations with stakeholders, we recommend the following reforms:
1. Create a national ICT infrastructure for networking
ODE institutions: A national information and communication technology (ICT)
infrastructure must be set up through government support for networking all ODE
institutions. In this regard, we recommend that the digital broadband Knowledge
Network proposed by NKC should have provision for interconnecting the major ODE
institutions and their study centres in the first phase itself. Eventually,
minimum connectivity of 2 mbps must be extended to the study centres of all ODE
institutions. A national ICT backbone would enhance access and e-governance in
ODE, and enable the dissemination of knowledge across all modes, that is,
print, audio-visual and internet based multimedia.
2. Set up a National Education Foundation to develop
web-based common open resources: A National Educational Foundation with a
one-time infusion of adequate funds must be established to develop a web-based
repository of high quality educational resources. Open educational resources
(OER) must be created online through a collaborative process, pooling in the
efforts and expertise of all major institutions of higher education. The OER repository
would supply pedagogical software for various programs run through ODE and be available
for utilization by all ODE institutions. An enabling legal framework that would
allow unrestricted access without compromising intellectual authorship must be
devised for this purpose.
3. Establish a credit bank to effect transition to a
course credit system: Transition to a course credit system must be carried
out to enable the learner to undertake programs across all ODE institutions and
disciplines. As a part of this process, an autonomous credit bank must be
established for storing and filing credits acquired by every learner. In
addition, admission criteria and the system of credits should be as flexible
and adaptable as possible. Provisions must be made for multiple entry points
and exit points, a flexible time-table and assessment mechanisms for supporting
life-long learning.
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