Presentation by Dr Ben Mensah, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
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Transcript Presentation by Dr Ben Mensah, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Ben Mensah, University of Cape Coast
Presented at eSTEeM International Workshop on Distance Learning,
Open University, UK, April 18-21, 2011
Outline
Development of Distance Learning in Ghana –
historical review
Current State of Distance Learning
Public Universities
Other institutions
Prospects and Challenges
Background to DE in Ghana
Immediate post-independence: ‘correspondence’
courses for academic and professional qualifications
Offered by institutions outside Ghana – mainly the UK
(Wolsey Hall, Rapid Results College)
Subscription dropped in the 1970’s and ‘80s for
economic reasons
National need for Distance Learning
As a viable alternative for manpower development
especially in training of teachers
Expansion of access to basic education
For upgrading qualifications of teachers
To expand access to university education
Various attempts have been made to provide
opportunities for distance learning at tertiary level
Need for DE
Assessment of DE needs: 1991-1994
the Commonwealth of Learning and UNESCO
4 public universities began preparations for distance
delivery of programmes
1995: Government approves DE programmes to begin
in all (4) public universities
1996: National Distance Education Council established
1997: Ghana Distance Education Association (GHADEA)
inaugurated
State of DE in public universities
• Institute of Adult Education in 1970
• Established in 1970
•
•
5938 students registered by 1976
Enrolment down to 12 by 1984
• Currently runs a diploma programme in Youth
Development work for students in Ghana, Sierra Leone
and the Gambia
• As of 2009, had 4500 students
The University of Cape Coast
Centre for Continuing Education
Established in 1997 to administer DE
programmes
First intake was 750 students in 2001 for
Diploma in Basic Education
UCC
Currently runs:
Diploma programmes in Business (Commerce
and Management)
Post-Diploma: Education and Business
MEd IT
Total no. of programmes: 14
Course on HIV / AIDS and associated
stigma (with UG, UEW and SFU)
UCC
2010/2011 – 10,500 admitted (cf. 5,081 residential)
43% female (35%)
The current population of students is close to
30,000, with 32 study centres
Completion rate average 77% between 2004 and
2009.
Plans to build regional study centres / satellite
campuses
Staff- capacity-building programmes in place
Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Student Support
Resident tutors in all regions
1786 course tutors
Bi-monthly face-to-face sessions
Distance Education at UEW
Administered by the Institute for Educational
Development and Extension
Established 1993, with financial support from the DfID
(the ODA)
Print-based DE programme began in 1998 with 198
students on 3 year post-diploma degree in Education
Now runs diploma and post-diploma programmes in
Basic Education and postgraduate diploma in
mentorship
UEW
Have plans to start M.Ed. programmes Science, Maths
and Language Education
Current enrolment c. 23,000
Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology
Institute for Distance Learning (IDL)
IDL started in 2005
8 study centres, one each in 8 of 10 regions
Enrolment– 2575 (2009/2010)
with c. 70% in 2 centres – Accra and Kumasi
2,288 admitted for 2010-2011
IDL - KNUST
Programmes
Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business
Administration (CEMBA)
Commonwealth Executive Masters in Public
Administration (CEMPA)
Proficiency Certificate in Architectural
Draughtsmanship (PCAD)
Other Institutions/Facilities
Teacher Education Division, Ghana Education Service
African Virtual University
Kludjeson International (UNISA), West Africa
Resource Centre (Leicester University) Besworld
Company (OU)
Challenges/Needs
Staff training
Development of course material
Conversion of print-based to electronic instructional
material
Equipment for electronic delivery
Practical work in Science
Perceptions of parity of qualifications obtained
through distance and conventional programmes
Conclusion
Significant advances made in Distance Education
Ghana in the last decade
Opening up access to tertiary education, freeing
learners from the constraints of time and place and
offering flexible learning opportunities.
A number of challenges need to be overcome for
further development of DE
Thank you
Acknowledgments
These sources of information are acknowledged:
Ahiatrogah P.D., Mabenga, M.B., Brew, E.D., Adu, S. and
Asabere-Ameyaw A. (2006). Overview of Distance Education
Programmes in Ghana. Presented at Workshop on Modern
Distance Education and Network Education for African
Educators, Jilin University, Changchun, Sept. 2-21
Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast
(CCEUCC)
KNUST website - http://idl.knust.edu.gh/
http://www.knust.edu.gh/pages/news.php?siteid=knust&id=342
UG Website - http://www.ug.edu.gh/
W.H.K. Hordzi
- University of Education, Winneba (UEW)