Significance of Flexibility in Programme Duration for Distance Learners: A Case Study

सार

Amongst many unique features of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, flexibility in terms of duration of the study is one of the most important facilities that enables the learners to complete their study at their own pace, wherein each programme has its own prescribed minimum and maximum duration. It implies that the learners have the option to complete their study within the minimum or the maximum duration. For instance, a three-year undergraduate Degree may be completed within three to six years of registration in the programme.  Therefore, the degrees/diplomas are awarded in the convocation to all those learners completing the prescribed credits in the curriculum either in the minimum or in the maximum duration including the re-admission period. This primary data-based paper reports the findings of a comprehensive study on programme completion of the learners within the minimum duration, and its variance amongst different programmes.  Besides, it provides a comparative analysis of the student pass-out and success vis-à-vis the certification in which they are enrolled within the minimum time period. From the finding of the study, it is apparent that the degrees entailing professional enrichment and up-skilling opportunities have larger number of stakeholders earning their credentials within the minimum time period since its completion has major stakes attached to their career progression and further growth prospects. It further implies that the learners enrolled in other programmes tend to avail the facility of flexible programme duration and hence, this feature is highly significant for the learners of distance education system.