Open and Distance Learning in Africa

Abstract

15CCEM Mid-Term Review for Africa and Europe, 14 November 2005, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Open and Distance Learning in Africa by: Sir John Daniel, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning // There were six elements in the Action Plan that Commonwealth Ministers of Education developed during their 2003 Conference in Edinburgh. One of those six elements is Using Distance Education to Overcome Barriers. But, of course, distance education is not just a distinct sector for action. It is a means to make progress on each other five action areas, and that is how I shall interpret it. // You do not engage in open and distance learning for its own sake. You use it as a way to make progress in the other areas. In many cases distance learning is the only way to achieve the scale, the scope and the impact required to tackle the challenges of education and training that you face. // So in reporting on what COL has done in support of your Action Plan I shall look at each of the six areas in turn. My COL colleagues and I have tried to summarize our work in the chart that we have distributed, which is too detailed to reproduce on the screen. Down the left-hand side it lists the particular themes of COL's work in each action area. Across the top it lists the Commonwealth countries of Africa so that you can see what we have tried to do in each of your countries. // In the next few minutes I simply want to comment on the themes of our work. My colleagues and I will be pleased to discuss with you individually the ways that we are working on these themes in your own countries.