The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : GITAM varsity launches Distance Learning Centre

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Sunday, Nov 08, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

GITAM varsity launches Distance Learning Centre

Special Correspondent

Flexible and open system important, says DEC chief

VISAKHAPATNAM: “India will become a developed country if illiteracy is eradicated, students are given quality school and higher education and certified skills are provided,” observed Chairman of Distance Education Council (DEC) and Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai here on Saturday. “Work-integrated learning and productive and cost-efficient way of teaching for the large young generation of the country are required,” Prof. Pillai said while inaugurating the Distance Learning Centre of GITAM University.

Important parameters

The developed countries have four important parameters as far as education was concerned. Universal literacy, universal school education, large percentage of students going to universities and providing skill parameters for any worker, as he or she would undergo training and get certified by an institution. But in India, the illiterate percentage of 34 was still large, only 11 per cent children complete school education and only 8 to 9 per cent go to higher education (which is much less than the world average of 20 per cent) and only 5 per cent of workforce was certified as skilled, Prof. Pillai observed. “Education is meant to improve quality of life and life management, and it is crime to deny educational opportunities,” the DEC chief said. On distance education, he said a flexible and open system was important. Prof. Pillai felt the need to train the teachers to enhance their competency and a mechanism was required to make them learn continuously.

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