Inter distance edn programme won't be discontinued: Govt

Nearly 43.5% of those who have appeared for the Intermediate Distance Education examinations have passed. The results were released by S Sailajanath, Minister for Primary Education and AP Open School Society, which runs the distance education programme. A total of 93405 students have enrolled for the exam this year and 77530 students have appeared. Out of them, 37774 students have passed. If supplementary exams are also included, the total number of applicants will go up to 111830 and out of them 51832 have passed. The total pass percentage was 46.35%. Females topped the list with a pass percentage of 49.31% while male candidates could register only 44.91 % pass percentage.

Interacting with media, the Minister said that there is no chance of closure of Intermediate Distance Education Programme in near future. "Some reports say that problems may crop up with Inter Board on the exams but I don't see they will lead to closure. We have reduced the number of centres only to curb mass copying and this should not be treated as a signal to closure of programme totally" he made it clear. With regard to curbing the exorbitant fee structure in fee structure, Sailajanath said the legal tangles have come in the way for taking a firm decision on the issue. But the government is seriously looking into the problem, he said. Nearly 63 % of the printing of text books is almost over and out of them 24% has already been dispatched to districts for distribution. "This year we are on course and I hope by June 3, the printing will be complete and the distribution would be done before reopening of schools i.e. June 12" he averred. The uniforms for children studying the primary classes run by RVM will also be provided within next one month or so, the Minister said. This year the contract has been awarded to APCO, he disclosed.