National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Karnataka government over reported derecognition of some of the courses offered by the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru putting at stake future of about "nine lakh students".
The Commission has also asked the UGC to inform about the status on the recognition of the courses offered by the KSOU. They have been given four weeks time to respond, an NHRC statement said.
The Commission received a public grievance letter that the future of about nine lakh students is at stake due to the reported decision of the University Grants Commission to derecognise the courses offered by the KSOU outside its territorial jurisdiction after 2012-13, it said.
Other than the media reports, there is allegedly no clarification from the university authorities on the issue till date. About 40 per cent candidates, who have cleared an exam, for the post of Assistant Professor, conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), are also uncertain about their future as to what will happen if now, the KEA, in line with the UGC guidelines, derecognises their degrees from KSOU.
"It is an unfortunate situation for the students who despite having degrees from a duly recognised university are, in a way, being subjected to cruelty due to want of clarity in the matter which has caused uncertainty about their future. It amounts to violation of their Right to Education and Equality as their future is at stake due to the proposed derecognition of some KSOU courses by the UGC after 2012-13," the Commission observed.
