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! " ! # $ % # & ' ( ) * " + " ! ( ( " ) ' % # ! & ! # % ' % # ! % , ( ( ! & ! # ( $ # ! , % ' % # Avani TrivediIGNOU Regional Centre, Ahmedabad, Indiaact6102002@yahoo.co.inThe Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) is a prerequisite degree for teaching in schools. With theestablishment of the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) during the Nineties, Schoolshave been forced to appoint only such teachers who have obtained B.Ed. degree. Those teachers whodid not have a B.Ed. degree are required to acquire it. There is a great rush for acquiring the B.Ed.degree in all parts of the country.The paper focuses on the quality aspect of the B.Ed. programme offered by Distance Education modeand self-financed mode. It examines learners’ preference for Distance Education mode of IGNOU vsthe self-financed B.Ed. programme. It also examines the views of changing scene of governmentfinanced B.Ed. education to self-financed B.Ed. education (both conventional mode). The recentemergence of this change may have many dimensions like: availability of opportunity, qualitativeeducation, preventing the flow of money drain to other states by providing the chance to learnerswithin the state etc. The paper attempts to determine the views of learners of both the modes vis-à-visthe quality aspect. The norms, eligibility for admission in B.Ed. programme have been discussed. Thequestionnaire was developed with a view to know the attitudes, opinions and experiences of thelearners of both the systems, specifically with reference to quality aspect. The quality aspect consistsof many dimensions like the content of the study material, academic approach of the system, deliveryof the programme, examinations, etc.This paper has intension to focus on the comparative scene of B.Ed. programme of two systemsselffinanced conventional system and distance education system- in the state of Gujarat. Indiansociety is one where right from Guru-shishya parampara to the era of Independent India, face to faceeducation has ruled the culture. The novel ideas of learning through distance and supportingfinancially one’s own education process are new /fresh to the society.Article 41 of our Constitution indicates that “the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacityand development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to publicassistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases ofundeserved want.” It implies that the State should allocate more resources to education.Since the dawn of the planning era in India, higher education has been heavily subsidized by the Stateand it is only with the new education policy 1986) that debate for privatization of higher education hasstarted.‘In India, the government tabled “The Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill of1995” in the Rajya Sabha in August 1995. The Bill provided for the establishment and incorporationof self financing universities and for regulation of their functioning and for matters connectedtherewith or incidental thereto. (University News, March 13, 2000).

Views on quality aspectRespondents1008060402007768 756345 473723A B C DDESFEviews of learners3.Your opinion about DE / SFE mode--Required in the society as it makes more seats available:DE 33SFE 78This figures suggests that SFE mode is the need of hour as more than 50% are positive for itpresence-It prevents money drain to other states:DE 09SFE 54-SFE mode is costly available option:DE 33SFE 90Out of 150, 90 respondents have considered SFE as costly mode where as 33 respondents havetreated DE as costly mode.-DE mode should relax the entry mode:DE 15SFE 28-DE mode provides a learning opportunity while you earn (Learn while you work):DE 125SFE 08-DE provides qualitative education by its excellent study material and other support services:DE 78SFE ---4. Please tick against the range of fees you suggest for B.Ed. programme in DE / SFE mode:--- Rs. 5,000 per year- DE→ 103; SFE→82--- Rs. 5,000-7,500 per year- DE→41; SFE→28--- Rs.10,000 per year-DE→11; SFE→065

Fees suggested by learnersNo. of learners150100500100 102314211 65000 5000-7500 10,000 upDESFEFees in Rs.5.Do you consider the system you have chosen for B.Ed. Programme, is cost-effective ?Yes : DE→102; SFE→ 19( due to other activities of the college)No: DE→ 15; SFE →75No Reply: DE→33; SFE→5912010080604020010275593319 15Yes No No ReplyDESFE6. According to you advantages and disadvantages of the DE / SFE system:The learners of both the systems have expressed their views as advantages and disadvantages. Themain views are as under-Advantages of DE:- one gets chance to study through excellent study material- earning is possible while learning( no loss of salary during studies)- no disturbance in service- convenient to elder learners-no age bar- self learning is innovative and creative- DE offers recognized degrees; valid degrees- DE gives quality education- DE cultivates self discipline- DE mode saves time- Good evaluation system-internal and external, it keeps active- Flexibility of time: one can manage at his/her pace- DE mode offers education to those who have no colleges in nearby areas- Better job opportunities as IGNOU as national jurisdiction and international recognition- DE provides the platform to meet the students of different areas and different walks of life- Even after gap of some years in studies, one can continue the studies- Freedom in learning- Compare to SFE, less fees in DE6

- Content based elaborated study material- IGNOU B.Ed. is NCTE approved , it is a good reputed institutionDisadvantages of DE:- Syllabus is tough, language is difficult- Correspondence takes time/ procedural delay- Grading system is not acceptable everywhere- Results not declared on time, creates problems- Not acceptable to all employers, yet to generate awaress of DE mode in society- Absence of regular coaching makes the study more difficult- Few no. of study centers don’t permit for the choice of center- Any type of change requires lots of formalities- Lots of technical errors- Long period of work shops- Feedback system is poor in DE- Supply of material is poorly managed- No proper exposure to practical work and studies- Counselling sessions are not compulsoryAdvantages of SFE:- Full time learning generates confidence- Students get good learning environment- SFE: better staff support- As it is one year course and DE has two years, it saves one whole year- Provides exam oriented education- Systematic regular studies- SFE has more availability of seats, offers more opportunities- Proper learning takes place; qualitative learning- Cultivates regularity, skills- Chances to get good job through campus interview- Provides opportunity extra co-curricular activities- By paying more money in SFE, students become sincere and develop more abilitiesDisadvantages of SFE:- No flexibility of time- Working group of students can not join as it is full time course- Easy to get seat in SFE, may result in mere printing/issuing of certificates- SFE makes education a money-oriented business- Money power rules over knowledge power- No scholarship to SC/ST studentsApart from the advantages and disadvantages expressed by learners above, few observations are asunder:1. Both the systems –DE and SFE(conventional) mode are in demand/preference for B.Ed.programme due to its job oriented nature.2. DE mode is the first choice of manyas IGNOU itself is a reputed name in Gujarat.3. DE mode has flexible nature and allows the learners to serve/work during their studies(76%are happy about it!)4. Study material of IGNOU has been appreciated by more than 50% learners.7

QuestionnairePlease put a tick mark against the reasons suitable to your choice:1. Please tick mark the reasons for joining Distance Education mode/ self-financededucation mode for B.Ed. programme.: Could not get admission in government aided (financially) college.: I prefer to study in this university / college due to its reputation.: To get qualitative education.: My economical situation permits me to join SFE mode.: I don’t want any hazard like Entrance Test for joining B.Ed.: DE mode B.Ed. is of two year course, it saves one important year.: DE mode permits me to earn, to work while I study.Any other, please specify: _______________________________________2.How do you consider the place of SFE / DE with reference to quality aspect in B.Ed.Programme ?: Provides quality oriented education.: Provides very good study material: Provides reference material, use of other media in class-room teaching to enrich learningprocess.: Maintains regularity in delivery of the programme / studies.: Provides exam-oriented education: Provides an opportunity for self-learning, which strengthens the learning process.: Full time learning programme makes it more condensed and qualitative.3.Your opinion about DE / SFE mode: ---:Required in the society as it makes more seats available.:It prevents money drain to other states.:SFE mode is costly available option.9

:DE mode should relax the entry mode.:DE mode provides a learning opportunity while you earn (Learn while you work): DE provides qualitative education by its excellent study material and other supportservices.Any other, please specify : _______________________________________4. Please tick against the range of fees you suggest for B.Ed. programme in DE / SFE mode:--- Rs. 5,000 per year--- Rs. 5,000-7,500 per year--- Rs.10,000 per year5.Do you consider the system you have chosen for B.Ed. Programme, is cost-effective ?If Yes, please give reasons: ___________________________________If No, please give reasons: ____________________________________6. According to you advantages and disadvantages of the DE / SFE system:*************************10