AICTE, distance learning council spike part-time technical courses

-TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur: The mushrooming distance learning centers-cumcolleges selling full-time degrees are running without the approval from the competent authorities. The All India Council for Technical Education has banned all part time MTech, BTech and MCA courses. They had even banned diplomas in technical subjects through distance learning mode.

The AICTE observed that quality has taken back seat in many of these part-time programmes. Many colleges have not followed the norms which were made clear when permissions were granted to conduct this course, said AICTE recent circular. The circular clearly says that part-time degree and diploma course are not fit for government job. It is a punishable offence for both the students and institutes awarding such degrees. Another order by Distance Learning Council, a body which laid rules and regulations for educational institutes offering courses in distance learning mode had banned MTech and BTech on distance learning mode. The order categorically says that degrees for technical education courses shouldnt be awarded on distance learning mode. Sandeep Kumar, a RTI activist sought under RTI reveals that AICTE has categorically asked the universities to stop all the professional degree courses. They have also warned that many universities including Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and CJM University in Meghalaya to stop awarding degrees. These bodies had already disregarded thousands of degrees awarded by these education shops. In some cases, students challenged de-recognition of their degrees and pleaded leniency. However these bodies denied leniency to students as they held them equally responsible for the fraudulent acts.