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SFC castigates discrimination against qualifications acquired through distance learning 2/17/2014 11:24:52 PM Kunal Shrivatsa JAMMU, Feb 17: Censuring the dual policy structure of Higher Education Department with regard to distance education mode, the J&K State Finance Commission (SFC) which submitted its recommendations to the Government for further consideration has opined that restricting those students who have obtained certificates through distance learning to appear for various entrance tests is an act of obscurantism. The observations of the J&K State Finance Commission on defective policy on distance education learning has come to fore in the form of a Government reply to a starred question tabled in State Legislative Assembly by PDP MLA Choudhary Zulfikar Ali. The report put forwarded the Commission indicated that it has come to its notice that the students of the state acquiring diplomas/degrees through the mode of distance learning have been barred from taking up various entrance examinations as their certificates are not recognized for such tests conducted locally. A portion of the Commission's report under heading Higher Education Department said, "the Commission has noted that certificates obtained through distance education by the local J&K students have been derecognized in the local entrance tests." The inconsistency in the Higher Education Department's policy on distance learning is quite confusing as the University Grants Commission (UGC) treats all degrees, diplomas and certificates at par whether obtained from distance mode or regular mode of imparting education. "When the UGC clearly stipulates that the degrees, diplomas and certificates obtained through the distance mode will have the same value as those of the regular mode," viewed the Commission. "A number of Universities like the University of Madras, University of Allahabad, Banaras Hindu University, JNU, Delhi University and a host of other institutions including the IIMs had either opened or intended to open their distance education mode centres," it added. Expressing its concern, the Commission further said, however, non-recognition of certificates, diplomas and degrees by the State Government has forced several universities to close their distance education centres in J&K. "All these have got closed because of the non-acceptance of their degrees in the entrance examinations," the report said. The Commission's report has further suggested to the State Government that it should refrain itself from opposing or hindering the spread of new ideas and new social development in the form of distance education. "The Commission considers this an act of obscurantism, to say the least, and have urged the Government to allow free flow of knowledge and follow the traditional liberal policy of the proliferation of educational facilities and mechanisms. The state can not follow the policy of protectionism and sacrifice healthy competition," the Commission's report maintained.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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