Draft report of

13.33 Distance Education Council
The entire spectrum of open and distance learning has seen a transformation in the light of advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This has thrown challenges as also provided new opportunities for the learners through distance mode of education. The time demand for the optimal use of ICT by the universities to offer their distance education programme cutting across the territorial jurisdiction. India may also make available her experiences in Distance Education to other countries. Moreover, there is also a need to introduce a mechanism to certify the skills of people acquired through the non-conventional and non-formal means. For the purpose, present set up of coordinating and maintaining the standards of distance education needs to be strengthened by focusing more on promoting the use of technology in distance mode of education and certification rather than focusing on regulatory mechanism. There is a need for establishment of an independent statutory body, through, legislation, perhaps, in the name of Distance Education Council, to promote, coordinate, determine, maintain and regulate the standards of education in the open and distance education system in the new circumstances as also to promote Indian education abroad through distance mode. Needless to mention that the parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Human Resource Development had also recommended for establishment of Distance Education Council as a separate independent statutory authority. In view of this, it is proposed to set up a statutory authority, in the name of Distance Education Council (DEC) for taking all necessary steps to promote and facilitate distance education utilizing all possible modes and making best use of technology, and to establish a mechanism for certifying the skills of the persons acquired through non-conventional and non-formal methods, as also to prescribe and determine and maintain the standards in distance education, and a provision of Rs. 700.00 crore may be made for DEC in the ensuing 11^th Plan.