Study Centre of the School of Distance Education of Kannur University

Government College Mananthavady is the only Govt. College in North Wayanad. The total number of Government colleges in the district is only 2, and the number of aided colleges is only 4. With these 6 regular institutions, it is not possible to provide higher education to all people in the district. The demand ratio of the programmes in our college is very high. It is in this regard, the Government College Mananthavady had started steps to provide education to those who didn’t find a place in regular colleges, through its School of Distance Education of Kannur University. The following chart illustrates the high demand ration of the programmes offered by our college.

The college is functioning as the only SDE study centre of Kannur University in Wayanad district. The college became the Study centre of SDE of Kannur University in the year 2010-11. Nearly 3000 students are currently pursuing higher education through this centre. Those people, who have an urge towards learning and cannot go for regular classes, are enrolled through this centre. Students can enroll for all programmes offered through the distance Stream of Kannur University from this centre. Dr. Denny Joseph has been serving as the Coordinator of the Study Centre of SDE since June 2012.

Registration details of the recent years

Government College Mananthavady is located in a hilly and rural area with a sizeable percent of tribal population. Wayanad is a backward district which recently has witnessed hundreds of farmer suicides due to bankruptcy and failure of agriculture. It is situated 2000 feet above sea-level, and nearly 70 percent of the population here are tribal people (adivasis) without proper education and employment. Our college is the only government college in North Wayanad and Mananthavady taluk, and it has the mission of uplifting the young generation of Wayanad through quality higher education.

As the provision for regular education is limited in Wayanad district, higher education through the distance stream becomes a boon to students. Since the centre is instituted here, the enrolled students need not go to the University any more. The students have to get enrolled through the distance education web site of Kannur University. They need not approach the University for any further assistance. All support like the distribution of Identity Card, certificates, Self Instructional Materials (SIM) etc are done through the College. Finally, the College is serving as an examination centre also. Actually this centre is a blessing to the enrolled students.

Kannur University has selected this College as it’s Study Centre in the year 2010-11. The College has appointed a faculty as the Coordinator of the study centre. The Coordinator is supplied with a supporting staff also. A separate room in the College has been allotted exclusively for the smooth functioning of the Study Centre. The infrastructural facilities of the college are availed by the students of the SDE. Above all, the college is serving as the examination centre of the Kannur University. All students enrolled can attend their exams through this centre. Apart from these, the College has been supporting the enrolled students through various programmes and practices. The important ones are listed below.

Conducting of Distance Education Sensitization Workshop for Parallel College Teachers.

This is done to familiarize the teachers with the Credit System, various programmes offered by the University, courses, weight, grading etc.

Conducting of Distance Education Orientation Programmes for Students

Distribution of Identity Cards to the students.

Distribution of qualifying certificates sent by the students to the University.

Distribution of Self Instructional Materials to the students.

Conducting contact classes for the enrolled students in all subjects.

Distribution of certificates after the results are announced.

        The college has attained its objective of providing higher education to those who are underprivileged, through its SDE Study Centre. The number of students registering through this centre is increasing each year. As Wayanad is a backward district, many people find it difficult to go for higher education. They have to go for work, to look after their family. So this SDE Study Centre is a blessing to them. They can go for work on regular days, and can attend the contact classes on holydays and get prepared by themselves through the self instructional materials. Finally they can appear for the examination in this SDE Study Centre also. The increasing trend of student enrollment is an indication of the success of the SDE Study Centre of Government College, Mananthavady. Assuring education for all through SDE Study Centre can be assumed as a benchmark for other institutions as well, and it is sure to produce sound results in all dimensions.