Following a complaint, the Central Vigilance Cell (CVC) found that Ignou has been procuring study material for its master's and bachelor's (MCA and BCA) programmes from outside the university. This is against the guidelines of the Distance Education Council (DEC).
As per the guidelines, universities offering distance learning
programmes must first develop study material and get it approved by DEC.
However, the CVC's 'intensive examination report on procurement of books on computer, offset printing, art board and maplitho paper by Ignou' said that since 1995, the open university has been offering BCA and MCA without developing its own study material.
DEC guidelines also state that Ignou's BCA and MCA programmes are de-recognised and as per 1995 gazette notification, students, both past and current, are not eligible for Central government jobs.
S C Garg, pro vice-chancellor, Ignou, said: "These decisions were taken in 1994. But for the last three years, we have been using our own study material for MCA.
We will soon have our own study material for BCA as well." However, according to Ignou sources, the study material is far from being ready. In July 2005, Ignou had purchased MCA books worth over Rs 92 lakhs.
On the recognition of these courses by DEC and the future of students, Garg said: "Our BCA and MCA are recognised by AICTE." Interestingly, Damodar Acharya, chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), refuted the claim.
"We don't recognise any BCA courses," he said. On the study material for MCA courses, Acharya said AICTE's Board of Studies will look into the matter. Meanwhile, Ignou Swaraj Basu, director, DEC, said: "Students should not suffer because of the university's actions."
The CVC report questions Ignou on why it took 10 years to develop study material and why it decided to procure the books rather than letting the students procure it for themselves.