Perspective on Distance Learning - Ghana Ben Mensah, University of Cape Coast Presented at eSTEeM International Workshop on Distance Learning, Open University, UK, April 18-21, 2011
Dec 22, 2015
Perspective on Distance Learning - Ghana
Ben Mensah, University of Cape CoastPresented at eSTEeM International Workshop on Distance Learning,
Open University, UK, April 18-21, 2011
OutlineDevelopment of Distance Learning in Ghana –
historical reviewCurrent State of Distance Learning
Public Universities Other institutions
Prospects and Challenges
Background to DE in GhanaImmediate 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 LearningAs 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 educationVarious 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 programmesFirst intake was 750 students in
2001 for Diploma in Basic Education
UCCCurrently runs:
Diploma programmes in Business (Commerce and Management)
Post-Diploma: Education and Business MEd IT
Total no. of programmes: 14Course on HIV / AIDS and
associated stigma (with UG, UEW and SFU)
UCC2010/2011 – 10,500 admitted (cf. 5,081
residential)43% female (35%)The current population of students is close to
30,000, with 32 study centresCompletion rate average 77% between 2004
and 2009.Plans to build regional study centres /
satellite campusesStaff- capacity-building programmes in place
Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Student SupportResident tutors in all regions1786 course tutorsBi-monthly face-to-face sessions
Distance Education at UEWAdministered by the Institute for Educational
Development and ExtensionEstablished 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
UEWHave plans to start M.Ed. programmes
Science, Maths and Language EducationCurrent enrolment c. 23,000
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyInstitute for Distance Learning (IDL)IDL started in 20058 study centres, one each in 8 of 10 regionsEnrolment– 2575 (2009/2010)
with c. 70% in 2 centres – Accra and Kumasi2,288 admitted for 2010-2011
IDL - KNUSTProgrammesCommonwealth Executive Masters in
Business Administration (CEMBA) Commonwealth Executive Masters in Public
Administration (CEMPA)Proficiency Certificate in Architectural
Draughtsmanship (PCAD)
Other Institutions/FacilitiesTeacher Education Division, Ghana Education
ServiceAfrican Virtual UniversityKludjeson International (UNISA), West Africa
Resource Centre (Leicester University) Besworld Company (OU)
Challenges/NeedsStaff trainingDevelopment of course materialConversion of print-based to electronic
instructional materialEquipment for electronic deliveryPractical work in SciencePerceptions of parity of qualifications
obtained through distance and conventional programmes
ConclusionSignificant advances made in Distance
Education Ghana in the last decadeOpening 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
AcknowledgmentsThese 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=342UG Website - http://www.ug.edu.gh/ W.H.K. Hordzi - University of Education, Winneba
(UEW)