OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING EDUCATION IN INDIA IN NEW PRESPECTIVE

Abstract

1 INTRODUCTION Higher education plays the role of leadership in the society Education is a catalyst of social change and spread of education in a society is the foundation of success in countries that are latecomers to development. Distance education is playing an important role in providing higher education to those who are unable to be part of conventional system. The main objective of ODL is to reach the unreached and provide education at the doorstep of the learners and according to their convenience. Distance learning concept introduced in the country with a view to democratize education, so that it covers large segments of population, vocations and professions. The primary emphasis is on innovation, flexibility and cost effectiveness. It aims at the dissemination of learning and acquiring knowledge through distance education mode including the use of any communication technology to provide opportunities for higher education. It provides easy access to education to different sections of society, especially to those with seemingly geographical isolation & difficulty, and caters to the educational needs of the target groups through the open systems of learning. The Open and Distance Learning institutions aim at providing support and facilitate quality learning process in distance learners through interactive activities