Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala University has withdrawn the decision to allot 64 more Learner Support Centres (off-campus centres) in view of many controversies.
The centres were allegedly operating outside the jurisdiction of the university without the approval of the state government and the UGC.
Governor P. Sathasivam had also asked the university to clarify whether these centres had the requisite sanctions. It may be recalled that the Mahatma Gandhi University had closed down all its off-campus centres recently.
The Kerala University, which did not have any off-campus centres for a long time, changed its policy in 2012 and started them in the name of Learner Support Centres (LSCs).
Around 62 LSCs were sanctioned in all districts, except Wayanad and Kasargod. This was later increased to 84.
The UGC had also come out against the liberalised academic programmes offered through the off-campus centres making it easier for students to get degrees.
The centres are conceived as collaborative units and the university would have no direct role in the actual teaching- learning process.
