The open and distance learning has not only provided assess to information to the needy areas, but has enriched the life of millions of rural poor inhibiting in developing countries of Asia.
The phenomenal growth of distance and open learning systems all over the world has drastically changed the educational scenario everywhere today. The conventional notions about teaching-learning are being replaced very fast by new ideas and strategies, thanks to the revolutionary changes continuously taking place in the media and communication. Since the concept of education as investment is also steadily gaining ground, even the poorest countries are slowly turning their attention to the educational needs of their respective populations in order to survive and develop. Distance education has been viewed by many as a viable strategy to achieve the national educational goals quickly and at low costs. The subsidied education at the poor steps of student has by and large bridged the gap between rural and urban, conventional and non conventional university system.
At present, there are 1300 distance and open learning institutions of different types and sizes located in 127 countries. The number of distance learners is approximately 90 million at the higher education level. It was expected to reach 90 million by 2000 AD and 120 million by 2025 AD (Dhanarajan 1996), but the available data pertains mostly to institutions funded and/or recognized by the Governments and the public bodies.
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