(a) whether the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has closed some of interactive face-to-face courses/programmes;
(b) if so, the details of such courses/programmes and the number of students affected as a result thereof;
(c) the reasons for discontinuation of these courses;
(d) whether any alternatives have also been suggested so as to protect the interests of the students; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a): No Sir. As per information made available by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), it has not closed any of its interactive face-to-face courses / programmes.
Pursuant to the decision of its Board of Management (BOM) in December 2011, a High Power Committee was constituted to review the University’s role as mandated in IGNOU Act 1985 including issues regarding offering of face-to-face programmes. The High Power Committee recommended that IGNOU should make an assessment of the contribution of the face-to-face programmes in promoting the university’s mandate of Distance Education before taking a decision in this regard. Pending such an assessment, fresh admissions to campus-based programmes commencing in academic session 2012 may be held in abeyance. However, students already admitted to the face-to-face programmes would continue to complete the same. The recommendations of the High Power Committee have been accepted by the BOM of the University and accordingly, all face-to-face programmes conducted by it are undergoing a review. The list of the face-to-face programmes under review is annexed.
(b) to (e): In view of reply at (a) above, the questions do not arise.