Open and Distance Learning mode of education has been described as a lasting solution to the problem of access challenge in tertiary education in Nigeria.
An Education expert, Professor Oyesoji Aremu stated this while delivering a virtual paper presentation to a public gathering in Abuja.
He said the open, distance and e- learning in Nigeria stood a chance to provide greater access to a large number of candidates who were always in difficulty accessing limited number of spaces on regular programmes of public universities.
The expert, who is from the Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies, University of Ibadan, explained that given the fact that educational institutions worldwide are rapidly adopting online learning as an alternate or complimentary force in education delivery, open and distance learning was becoming the next democratizing force, especially in universities.
According to Professor Aremu, despite COVID-19’s harrowing experiences to humanity, successful deployment of ICTs had dramatically increased access to high quality education, stressing that countries were using ICTs not only to overcome barriers of distance, but also making education accessible to all.
“The university is no longer the sole repository of scholarship and knowledge. The class is also not enclosed within the walls of the classroom anymore. It is therefore imperative that borderless education is the new norm; and the new form of knowledge delivery,” he said.
Speaking further on the imperative of online learning, he said its operation and management of educational processes exclusively via new technologies was presenting many advantages such as independence in time, space, learning, as well as, flexibility and stability in the utilization of interface of communication and guidance.
He noted that as stakeholders, concern should be on the quality, in terms of quality of learners at the point of entry, quality of programme, resources and assessment.
Contact/Faniran
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