Students of DU’s School of Open Learning (SOL) sent a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi and complained that the syllabus of 180 days was wrapped up in 20 days.
In the memorandum, students alleged of gross discrimination as well as the difficulties faced in all the courses of SOL. “We urge to V-C to take appropriate action and ensure the same quality education provided in the DU colleges,” reads the memorandum. Amitesh Kumar, a student of SOL said: “There is a perception among general people that the students who pursue distance learning from the DU are those willing to carry on their study as part-time but the reality is that most of the students perusing their study from SOL centers are forced to study in SOL because they do not get admission in regular colleges.”
“It is the duty of the University to ensure that an increasing number of such students are properly incorporated in regular courses but unfortunately, the policies of the University have not been moving in this direction at all,” Kumar added.
“SOL is running in an extremely informal and ad-hock manner. The Personal Contact Program (PCP) has been almost ineffective due to the lesser number classes. In SOL, closure of classes before completion of the course is a norm.
The classes of second and third-year students were held for merely 20 days in contrast. Syllabi of regular colleges take 180 days to get completed,” said Abhay Sharma, another student of SOL, who is part of the group protesting against discrimination.