Holding that subjects with large component of practical teaching should be taught in face-to-face mode, higher education regulator UGC has issued a ban on offering physiotherapy courses in distance mode.
The University Grants Commission has said physiotherapy course involves large component of practical teaching and cannot be properly imparted in distance mode.
In a notice issued to registrars of all the universities, the UGC has said that some universities are conducting certificate, diploma, graduation and masters programmes in physiotherapy in distance mode.
“The UGC has taken a serious view of this practice of conducting distance education programme in subjects with large component of practical teaching,” the notice said.
The issue of whether the varsities can offer courses in physiotherapy in distance mode has been referred to the Delhi High Court.
Citing an earlier order of Delhi High Court, UGC said the court had held that professional courses should not be imparted through distance mode.
