Distance education and open learning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Criteria and conditions for quality and critical success factors

Abstract

ADEA (2002, 2003) notes that with increasing demand for access to educational opportunities at all levels, and often decreasing budgets in real terms for educational provision, there has been a growing interest in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the possibilities of distance education and open learning (DEOL) as a credible alternative to replicating traditional contact-based schools, colleges and universities. The debate in SSA has tended to be centred more upon cost advantages than open access, but both considerations are important. In a companion report we discuss costing considerations for DEOL provision based on current actual practice. In this report, we are concerned with the conditions necessary for success with DEOL provision. It is hoped that when read together, the two Report will be seen as complementary and an aid to informed decision-making