Martha Farrel is linked with PRIA much before it was registered in 1982. She worked with Ankur before joining PRIA. At PRIA, she has been with Information Resource Centre, Head of Gender Unit, and member of committee against Gender Harassment. She looks after PRIA Continuing Education, an innovative initiative of distant learning education. She explains IndianNGOs.com about the various issues involved with PCE.

What is the need for PCE?

Learning is a life long process. One needs to be educated with issues of changing times. In ever changing body of knowledge, new knowledge is always added. However, there are very few institutions which focus on ever learning aspect as function of knowledge dissemination is relegated only to schools & universities. Once you are out of academic institutions, learning is almost over. PRIA’s Continuing Education(PCE) precisely focuses it.

What are the courses offered? How they are developed?

The courses are built around PRIA’s expertise as PRIA strives to disseminate its field knowledge, earned through its experience, through well crafted courses to various segments of the society. Participatory research, for instance, an acclaimed expertise of PRIA is limited to voluntary sector. Continuing Education takes it beyond. PCE moves beyond workshops & training to concrete education. The skills needed, therefore are different. The facilitator of the workshop differs from the instructor of the course as theory becomes important for him.

PCE is primarily an academic course. It offers five certificate courses on subjects including Occupational Health, Participatory Research, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Civil Society Building & Understanding Gender. Though distant, it facilitates student teacher interaction through a virtual bulletin board. Students post their query to get responses of faculty. Distant courses apart, there is also a 13 week Bridge course for post graduate students who want to opt for voluntary sector. The course trains students about the issues involved with voluntary sector. PRIA also ensures placement of Bridge Course students. Last year, most of the students were picked by the NGOs during placement.

Are there other universities offering same courses?

These courses do not find parallel in India. PRIA is the only institution offering certificate course in Participatory Research & Civil Society Building. Some Universities hold a Bridge Course for development sector but that is not well developed. PRIA’s courses are well crafted & standardized. Participatory Research program emerged out of collaboration between PRIA & Victoria University Canada as they jointly prepared the course units. Other courses are prepared after thorough brain storming of experts on the issue.

What is the response of the students?

PCE has seen enrolment of a wide range of students including agriculture students, management students, and employees in various companies. Many Doctors & Labor Officers have enrolled in Occupational Health Course. Students have shown huge response in Participatory Research &Understanding Gender.

What has been PRIA's experience with distant education?

Like its earlier programs, PCE has also been a learning process for PRIA, indicating a firm belief in participatory learning. Case studies written by different students from different perspectives give new knowledge to PRIA.

Are these courses recognized by the government?

Not yet, simply because it requires minimum of five years of running a course before government grants the recognition. Further, recognition may not offer much if PRIA demonstrates & marches on its own credentials like few selected institutions, which are not accredited by the government; yet their courses are valued across the country. After two successful years, PRIA now looks forward to aggressively market these courses. New courses like Public Relations are in the pipeline.

Ashutosh Bhardwaj
Jan 2007
New Delhi