Importance of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Assam: a Study with Special Reference to KKHSOU

Abstract

Education is important for all kind of people. Educated people can think and decide which one is good and which one is bad. To build a cultured society, every citizen should be well educated. According to Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, “When education is purposeful, creativity blossoms and when creativity blossoms, thinking emanates. When thinking emanates, Knowledge is fully lit. When Knowledge is lit, Economy flourishes”. In rural and remote area of Assam, till date superstitious believes like black magic, witch-hunting etc. are existing. Hundreds of innocent people were killed in such type of activities. As per report of All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2015-16, Assam has only 15 colleges against one lakh population. In such situation, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Assam is very important to educate each and every people of Assam. Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) is the only open university in Assam to convey quality higher education to doorstep to each and every household of Assam. We make a sample survey to study category, quality and different issues on the current learners of KKHSOU, so that a user friendly system may be built up and deliver which will help to educate all kind of people of Assam. In this article, we have tried to deliver the results of the sample survey to the readers through tables and statistical diagrams.