New Delhi
The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have warned their recognised universities and institutions against offering courses in distance learning and online mode in association with Ed-tech companies, saying no “franchise” agreement is permissible as per norms.
The UGC and AICTE have also advised students and parents to check the recognition status of any programme on their websites before enrolling in any course.
“Such a franchisee arrangement is not permissible and action will be taken against defaulting EdTech companies as well as Higher Education under applicable laws, rules and regulations. All the students are also hereby advised that they should check the recognition and entitlement status of the programmes on the UGC website before enrolling in any course,” he added.
In another notice, the AICTE has also warned against the franchise arrangement between institutions and Ed-tech companies. The Education Ministry had earlier this month issued an advisory to parents and students dealing with edtech firms, asking them to exercise caution while making payments. The ministry had said the parents, students and all stakeholders in education have to be careful while deciding on opting for online content and coaching being offered by a host of Ed-tech companies.
