PROBLEMS OF LEARNERS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION IN ASSAM

Abstract

Distance Education occupies the most important place in our country’s educational set-up. It has become increasingly significant mode in almost all countries of the world. The growing population of a country demands a system of education which brings the education to the door steps of learners. The open distance learning system provides learner centered education at their door steps with in-built flexibility. Over the few decades there has been a noticeable growth in distance education around the globe. Though distance education system is growing very rapidly, but in reality the learners suffers a lot of problems which needs analysis and review for putting this system on smooth lines. As students are the main agents of distance learning system, their problems must be taken of great care. With the problems, there is a danger of the system becoming stereotyped leading to inertia. Until and unless this inertia is curbed, the system of distance education shall continue to deteriorate. In the present study an attempt has been made to find out the problems of learners of distance education in North-East India in general and Assam in particular. In this study four major types of distance learning institutes of the state were taken. Total 92 learners participated in the study. Out of these 92 learners, 23 learners from each four institutes were taken. From the analysis of the result it was found that the learners of these institutes were facing a lot problem in getting their education. This study revealed that irregular and unsystematic supply of reading materials, untimely counseling session, poor quality of materials, untimely issue of certificates and insufficient books in the library etc are most several problems of learners of distance education.