Wezi Tjaronda
16 March 2005
Windhoek — OPEN and distance learning has become the only solution for expediting the process of addressing the literacy and educational deficit glaring at the sub-Saharan region and Africa in general.
These were the remarks of Professor David Mosoma, deputy vice chancellor and vice principal of operations of the University of South Africa, in his keynote address to a Round Table Discussion on the role of Open Distance Learning (ODL) in the SADC region.
In his reflection on the role of ODL in SADC and how Distance Education Association (DEASA) would add value to it, Mosoma said: "Clearly, distance education provides a unique delivery model which should be appropriated to address the educational needs of the region. It offers a paradigm shift from conventional or contact mode of delivery to one that removes education barriers."
Mosoma noted that for too long, the education system has promoted elitism where only the privileged few access tertiary education, adding that this approach should be discontinued to accord more people the right to education irrespective of their stations in life.
"Open and distance education offers an opportunity for access for many who find themselves marginalized in the educational systems," said Mosoma.
He argued that making education accessible to the masses is the only option to adequately respond to the increasing educational demand of the region.
Academicians and researchers alike argue that Open Distance Learning has become the common "modes of delivery" in higher education institutions across the world. It has also had a major impact on higher education particularly in poorer and developing countries because it is a way of teaching which does not require the presence of the teacher and the learners at the same place at the same time and also develops strategies of educational delivery, which, at an affordable cost, can overcome barriers of access to education.
The poorer countries, confronted not only with the severe financial problems that expansion entails, also have to contend with the increasingly apparent failure of the traditional model when expanded, to serve their educational needs, particularly beyond the basic primary level.
Apart from making education accessible to the masses, ODL provides opportunities for women and girls to be educated in the safety of their own homes, while it combines the world of work and learning and provides the interplay between theory and practice, said Mosoma.
Another challenge, he said, is to strike a balance in education systems between addressing the knowledge base and skills needs of the region and producing entrepreneurs who in turn can create job opportunities.
Bearing in mind the fact that Africa has one of the fastest growing populations in the world, Mosoma said it is necessary for the sub-region to educate its people through open distance learning and foster collaboration and partnerships, which will afford the region global competitiveness as well as the opportunity to provide other less developed regions with conceptualized, relevant distance learning experiences.
The roundtable meeting was convened for DEASA to share its strategic perspectives with education permanent secretaries in the SADC region.
Frances Mensah, director of the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) and also chairperson of DEA-SA, said currently the distance learning group is only represented in seven countries throughout the region. Through the meeting, DEASA hopes to reach out to the countries that are not members of the organization.
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