Government Allows Kerala University to Offer Distance Education Courses; Check Details Here

The University of Kerala has got Government's permission to admit students for open and distance learning courses.

The Kerala University has initiated steps and all set to enroll students for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate distance education programs.

Check: Kerala University Distance Education

But the prohibitive clause in the open University Ordinance prevents students from applying for distance education courses at the Kerala University.

According to section 76 of the open University Ordinance, 'a student who intends to pursue admission through distance education or through private registration shall not be given admission to such courses of study in any other university.'

There was a delay in the full-fledged functioning of distance learning courses offered at the Sree Narayana Guru Open University (SNGOU). 

Hence other universities were prohibited to conduct distance education programs because of the declaration of ordinance for SNGOU.

Check: Kerala University Distance Education Admission 2020

Kerala High court has stayed this controversial case and the final decision will be made on October 30, 2020.

Kerala University is the only University to receive UGC's approval for offering distance education courses in the state for the academic year 2020-21.

The university registrar seeking permission had written to the Department of Higher Education to permit the university to admit students since the deadline issued by UGC October 30, 2020, is approaching.

A senior official of the Department of Higher Education said, "Since the prohibitive clause has been stayed by the court, there is nothing that bars a university with UGC approval to go ahead and admit students."

Check: Kerala University Distance Learning Courses

The admission for UG and PG distance learning courses will be held until October 30, 2020, and November 18, 2020, respectively, said R. Vasanthagopal, Director, School of Distance Education, Kerala University.

Annually Kerala University admits an average of 10,500 students for the open distance learning programs.

The University of Calicut has the highest number of candidates enrolled for the distance learning courses and the university has extended the application date till October 31, 2020, said Vice-Chancellor M.K. Jayaraj

Annually the university provides admission to an average of 40,000 students and has 1.25 lakh students currently pursuing various courses in Open distance learning mode.

Check: Calicut University Distance Education Admission