Distance learning got a boost during Covid pandemic

Tribune News Service

Parveen Arora

Karnal, August 1

The trend of distance learning got a boost during the Covid pandemic. In the past couple of years, the number of enrolment for distance learning rose at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre, Karnal.

The centre has witnessed the enrolment of 99,918 students in 2021 and 96,752 in 2020. As many as 75,786 students were enroled in 2019, prior to the outbreak of Covid-19.

As many as 49,371 students got admission at this centre in 2018, 31,676 in 2017, and 17,927 in 2016, said the data of the Regional Centre.

As many as 49,449 were fresh admission, while 50,459 students got re-registration done out of the total 99,918 enrolment in 2021. Of the total enrolment in 2020, 53,926 were fresh admission and 42,826 got re-registration done. As many as 46,453 students got fresh admission in 2019, 31,416 in 2018, 22,113 in 2017 and 12,549 in 2016, the data stated.

“During the Covid pandemic, people showed interest in distance learning. We witnessed a jump in admission to various courses in comparison to the period prior to the Covid outbreak,” said Dr Poonam Kumari Singh, Senior Regional Director.

Students of rural areas showed more enthusiasm in getting admission in the distance education programmes. Among the fresh admission, rural students have shown more interest in comparison to the urban students.

As many as 87.4 per cent students from rural areas got admission in 2021, 77.68 per cent in 2020, 69.38 per cent in 2019 and 73.22 per cent in 2018, she added.

Dr Dharampal, Assistant Regional Director, said IGNOU gave opportunity of learning while earning. Those who were willing to crack competitive exams could get education through distance education courses.

He said the number of male students was higher than women students in enrolment. As many as 29,688 male students and 19,777 female students got fresh admission in 2021.

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