THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has intervened to ensure that the future of one and a half lakh children who depend on parallel systems for higher studies after Plus Two and undergraduate studies is not in jeopardy.

In case the Sree Narayana Guru Open University in Kollam does not get permission for courses, the Chief Minister has directed the Department of Higher Education to restore distance and open education in other universities without making it difficult for students.

On June 6, Kerala Kaumudi had reported that distance learning was in crisis as the Open University is yet to get approval.

At all other universities, distance and open education have been completely stopped and the faculty, staff and facilities have been shifted to the Open University. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses could not be started at the Open University without the permission of the Distance Education Bureau of UGC. Other universities will not be able to pursue open courses as they are prohibited by law.

For those who are unable to study in colleges, distance and open education should be reinstated in all universities for higher studies this year. UGC will allow distance and open study for universities with a NAAC score above three. Kerala and Calicut have this qualification. Although there are open universities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, open and distance learning is not restricted in other universities.

From now

1) An ordinance can be introduced amending the Open University Act by omitting Section 51 (2) which prohibits open study in other universities.

2) The Act provides that the Government may issue notice to avoid inconvenience to children due to any provision in the Act.

3) The Law Department was asked whether the Act should be amended through an ordinance or the impediment should be removed through notification.

Seats are limited

Seat in universities

Kerala

Graduation- 26,974

Post Graduate- 3457

Calicut

Graduation- 59,486

Post Graduate- 7629

M.G.

Graduation- 69,363

Postgraduate - 17,094

Kannur

Graduation- 15,410

Post Graduate- 2186

Those who qualified for higher studies last year

Plus two ...... 3,19,782

VHSE ....... 18,137

College admission is tough even for those with 90% marks