Risk and Resilience at Female Learners Transitions to ODL: A Study on Open School of Bangladesh Open University

Abstract

Open and distance learning (ODL) approach is considered as alternative approach of educational delivery; and education through this system is referred to as ‘second chance education’ in the educational literature. This system is very much accommodating for learners who don’t able to attend the formal schools, where compulsory face-to-face (f2f) contact is the central to the system. On the other hand; ODL delivery is learner centric and provide the opportunity to pursue studies without attending the institute as it provides self-learning materials (SLMs) and ICT materials for completing the learning at learner’s own pace and place, and optional f2f tutorial sessions at the study centers near to the learner’s place. In spite of these flexibilities; there are always have dropouts especially of the female learners which is very expensive as it increases the marginal cost of the ODL programme. The question of why some students successfully study through distance education (DE) and others do not is becoming increasingly important as ODL moves from a marginal to an integral role in the provision of basic education. This article explores the concepts of risk and resilience applied to the female learners in regard to their chances of successfully completing their Open School programme of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) delivered trough DE. The aim of the study is to develop a better understanding of the factors associated with academic success, withdrawal or failure and to attempt to identify female learners at risk of non‐completion. The study focuses on their poor performance or lacking confidence in finishing the study. These influence resembling those found in studies of individual resilience in other domains. // Paper ID: 67