THE CHALLENGES OF OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The quest for university education has led to the increased demand for Open Distance Learning Options in Nigeria, moreso when the Conventional Universities have very limited enrolment spaces. However, many of the ODL students were faced with Challenges in pursuit of the programme which results in lower completion rates. This research work examined the influence of these challenges on the ODL students completion rate. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. It covers all Business Education students in the ODL programme of the National Open University of Nigeria (Ilorin Study Centre) and the University of Ilorin. The study sample covered all final year Business
Education students in the programme. A researcher designed instrument entitled “Challenges of Business Education Students in Open Learning Distance Learning Programe Questionnaire” (CBESODLP) was used to gather data for the study. One research question and two hypotheses were raised, and analyzed. The researcher used descriptive statistic to answer the research question and
correlation statistics to analyse the hypotheses raised. The result of the analysis indicated a high completion rate in Marketing programme (95%) and Office Management and Technology (86%) while Accounting had a lower completion rate (68%). The two hypotheses raised were rejected, signaling a significant relationship between adequate teaching materials and students’ completion
rate. The study concluded that, adequate as well as relevant affordable teaching materials as well as student friendly programme methodology are important to successful completion of business Education Programmes in the Open Distance Learning of the two institutions in Ilorin.

Key Words: Synchronous, Asynchronous Blended Learning, Hybrid Learning