Reaching the Unreached: Role of ODL

Sheeja S. R. 
(Institute of Distance Education, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, India)

Abstract: Distance education has become an accepted and indispensable part of our educational system. Technological revolution and increasing need for skill up-gradation & retraining are the major reasons behind the unprecedented growth of distance education. As compared to traditional face-to-face classes, open and distance education offers more flexibility, freedom and easy access to students. Moreover, the conventional stream of education cannot accommodate the entire student community making distance education programs more necessary. Moreover, within the student community, number of adult, female, and minority learners is increasing. Distance education brings knowledge to these types of learners who have not been served by traditional class room setting. So open and distance education has a crucial role in the process of sustainable development. By realizing the potential of ODL, more and more traditional universities are transforming themselves to dual mode universities. Rapid developments in the field of ICT have created challenges as well as new opportunities for the design and delivery of education through the distance mode. This paper focuses on the Indian scenario of education and provides an overview of the role ODL in providing education to the under privileged sections of the society.

Key words: illiteracy, ODL, underprivileged