Distance education students stranded after Annamalai University reduces exam centres in Tiruchy
Around 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students are enrolled in the distance education programme. Until recently, the university conducted classes in 54 study centres and examinations in 35 centres across Tamil Nadu. Students could choose a centre that is near to them.
However, a week ago, the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a letter to Annamalai University, based on which the university reduced exam and study centres to just four districts, namely Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Mayiladuthurai, and Villupuram, which come under its direct regional jurisdiction. It may be noted that other universities have already restricted operations within their jurisdictions.
With May semester exams scheduled to begin on May 19, students from faraway districts such as Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari will have to travel over 200-500 km to one of these centres to write the exam. Many students say this will severely impact their ability to complete their courses, particularly those who cannot afford long-distance travel or extended time away from work and family. As exams approach, students have started sending emails to university authorities requesting them to take steps to restore the earlier system.
R Kavitha (name changed), a 34-year-old pursuing a BA Tamil, said, "The change was not just unfair but it was poorly communicated. We were never informed in advance. I stay in Sivaganga, but the nearest exam centre is in Mayiladuthurai, which is over 200 kilometers away. I cannot afford the travel and accommodation, nor can I leave my children alone for so many days."
S Sankar, father of a female student and state president of Legal Awareness and Anti-Corruption Organisation said, "Many female students cannot travel long distances due to safety, financial, or family-related constraints. If a university is mandated to operate only within a narrow region, then students outside that zone should be given online options or transferred to other recognized universities."
Annamalai university director for Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) Dr T Srinivasan, and Deputy Director for CDOE M Srinivasan were not available for comment. A senior officer in the university said, "We are complying with the DEB's directive, which limits our operations to the four districts under our jurisdiction. Students were notified through the official web site."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Outsourcing is against social justice, Marxist party tells DMK government
Chennai, Aug 11 (PTI) The CPI (M), a key ally of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, on Monday said the concept of outsourcing went against social justice and urged the state government to abandon it and treat vacancies under state services as openings for permanent jobs and recruit personnel through the public service commission. Referring to the protest here by conservancy workers for over 10 days opposing privatisation of sanitation operations by Chennai Corporation, 'Theekathir,' the official organ of the CPI(M) said in an editorial that the party's Tamil Nadu State Secretary, P Shanmugam has met the workers and has extended support to them. Usurping the rights of workers in the name of privatisation, consolidated pay and so on –as regards government job opportunities in Tamil Nadu– cannot be accepted, Shanmugam has said. The workers, seeking permanent jobs, oppose outsourcing mooted in areas including Tondiarpet in Chennai. They continue to protest in front of Ripon Buildings, the headquarters of the Chennai Corporation. The parties, including CPI(M) have strongly supported the conservancy workers who oppose privatisation. 'In Madurai Corporation too, conservancy work has been handed over to a private firm," the Marxist party's Tamil mouthpiece said, adding several protests have been staged opposing the private company that has been exploiting the workers. Private companies taking up work, including conservancy operations, pay a pittance to workers, who are not covered under statutory and social welfare schemes. Outsourcing of permanent jobs in state services is on the rise gradually and in particular, outsourcing of job openings in the health department is increasing. Also, arrangements such as consolidated pay, honorarium and work under an outsourced agency are against social justice as no system of reservation is followed. Hence, the Tamil Nadu government must completely give up outsourcing and must recruit personnel for permanent jobs under state services through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and this is necessary. 'This is not only an issue related to employment opportunities but also related to the future of the society." It cannot be said that those appointed by private firms to whom jobs are outsourced would have job security and responsibility for their work. Also, they may not have to own up responsibility for lapses, and this may lead to irregularities, it added. PTI VGN VGN ADB view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 12:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Lord Ram lost his mind after losing Sita: Tamil poet's comments spark row
Tamil lyricist and poet Vairamuthu has sparked a row with his comments about Lord Ram while receiving an award named after ancient Tamil poet Kambar, author of the Kamba Ramayanam, the tamil version of to a dialogue spoken by the character Vaali in Kambar's version of the epic, Vairamuthu said Vaali questions Ram's actions, pointing out differences between his conduct as a ruler and during his in the text, remarks that Ram had given up his kingdom for his brother but, in the forest, handed Vaali's rule to Vaali's own brother. Vaali then suggests Ram's actions could be excused because he had 'lost his mind' after losing Sita. Vairamuthu, interpreting the verse, said: 'Losing Sita, Raman has lost his mind. Someone who has lost his mind committing a crime is not considered a crime as per Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 84 of the IPC states that an offence committed by a person who is insane cannot be considered a crime. I don't know if Kambar knew the IPC but he knew the society.'He added that in this sense, Ram was 'an accused who was acquitted,' forgiven, and became a human, while Kamban 'became God.'- Ends
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Kamal Haasan Receives Death Threat Over Comment On Sanatana Dharma
Kamal Haasan receives a death threat from actor Ravichandran after criticising Sanatana Dharma during an event, sparking political backlash. Kamal Haasan has found himself in hot water after his comment on Sanatana Dharma, and after calls for a boycott grew, he has now received a death threat. Small-screen actor Ravichandran has threatened to kill Haasan over his comments against Sanatana Dharma. It was during the 15-year celebration of Tamil star Suriya's NGO, Agaram Foundation that Kamal Haasan criticised the central government's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), saying it has crushed the dreams of many MBBS aspirants and stating that it is an 'ill outcome of Sanatana Dharma." After this comment, Haasan faced severe backlash and boycott calls, and has now received a death threat. In a YouTube interview, Ravichandran, a television actor, called Haasan a 'naive politician" and went as far as to say he 'would slit his throat" for making anti-Sanatan comments. This has raised serious concerns for Kamal Haasan and his fans. What Kamal Haasan said about Sanatana Dharma Kamal, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), stated, 'In this war, only education has the power to change the nation. It's the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatana. Do not take any other weapon in your hands. You can't win with any other weapon. Because you will be defeated by majoritarianism; ignorant majoritarians will defeat you." Aftermath of the comment The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently called for a boycott of films featuring actor-politician Kamal Haasan, following his recent remarks on Sanatana Dharma. BJP state secretary Amar Prasad Reddy shared a video message on social media, saying, 'Earlier it was Udhayanidhi Stalin, and now it is Kamal Haasan who wants to destroy Sanatana Dharma. Let's teach them a lesson." He appealed to Hindus to avoid watching Haasan's movies, even on OTT platforms, stating, 'If we do this, they will stop making irresponsible comments that hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus." Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also criticised Haasan, accusing him of insulting Hindu beliefs and condemning his statement. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
