The establishment of a higher education open and distance learning knowledge base for decision makers in kenya

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGHER EDUCATION OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR DECISION MAKERS IN KENYA

By

Magdallen N. Juma (PhD)

African Virtual University (HQ)

P. O. Box 25405

Nairobi - Kenya

Tel: 254-2-575801/3/4

Fax: 254-2-575802

Email: mjuma@avu.org

Presented to

United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

Study Approach………………………………………………………………………..4

1. 
   The Target Audience of Decision Makers of the Knowledge
   

1.1 Profiles and Institutional Setting of the Ministry of Science

and Technology………………………………………………………..5

1.2 Institutional Setting of Distance Education in Public Universities

in Kenya……………………………………………………………….6

3. 
   Other Decision Makers in the Provision of Distance Education……..13
   
   1. 
      Commission for Higher Education…………………………………...13
      

East Africa (OLDEA-EA)……………………………………………16

1. 
   Open Learning Association of Kenya………………………………..17
   

2. 
   Tasks and Challenges Facing Target Audience and Decision Makers….18
   

2.1.1 Increase Enrolment in Higher Education………………………….…19

2. 
   Increase Opportunities for Relevant Degree Courses………………..20
   
3. 
   Increase Opportunities and Access to Continuing Distance Education……………………………………………………………..21
   
4. 
   Provide Opportunity for Women Education in Science & Engineering…………………………………………………………..22
   
1. 
   Challenges Facing Distance Education Decision Makers in Kenya…23
   

1. 
   Lack of Funds………………………………………………………...23
   
2. 
   Lack of a Clear Understanding of Distance Education………………23
   
3. 
   Poor Teaching/Learning Practices……………………………………24
   
4. 
   Outdated Facilities……………………………………………………24
   
5. 
   Inadequate Resources.…………………………………………….….24
   
6. 
   Inadequate Library Resources………………………………………..25
   
7. 
   Slow Internet Connectivity…………………………………………...25
   
8. 
   Scarcity of Computing Resources for Technology Enhanced Distance Education……………………………………………………………..25
   
9. 
   Lack of Skills in Information Communication Technology
   

10. 
    Attitude towards Technology Enhanced Learning…………………...26
    
11. 
    Communication Policy……………………………………………….26
    
12. 
    High Telecommunication Costs……………………………………...26
    

3. 
   Information Needs For Decision Makers in Kenya…………………...…..27
   

2. 
   Management and Financial of Distance Education Programmes…….28
   
3. 
   Programme Design and Development of Materials………………….28
   
4. 
   Financial Planning and Management………………………………...29
   
5. 
   Learner Support System in Distance Education Programmes…………………………...……………………………...29
   

4.0 Training Needs for Decision Makers in Distance Education…………….29

1. 
   Capacity at the Policy Level………………………………………….30
   

2. 
   Institutional Capacity Building………………………………………30
   
3. 
   Individual Capacity Building………………………………………...31
   
4. 
   Intervention Strategies Necessary……………………………………31
   

5.0 Knowledge Base for Distance Education In Higher Education – Kenya……………………………………………………………………..….31

1. 
   Components of Knowledge Base in Kenya…………………………..32
   
2. 
   Conclusion…………………………………………………………....34
   

References…………………………………………………………………………...35

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGHER EDUCATION OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR DECISION MAKERS IN KENYA
Introduction

A growing crisis in the higher education sector in Kenya over the last two decades has given rise to a multiplicity of new organizational structures designed for meeting the new challenges of post-secondary education and training. A number of factors account for the emergence of these structures among them the steady reduction in the funding of public universities, the need to expand educational opportunities to significantly larger numbers of school leavers and major changes in the labour market which create new requirements for life long learning. These and related factors have led to new trends in distance learning in higher education in the country.

1. 
   The target audience of Decision Makers of the Knowledge Base (profile institutional setting etc.)
   
2. 
   The representative tasks and challenges that the target audience is faced with in the carrying out of his/her duties including a detailed analysis of recent challenges faced by decision makers in this field in terms of cost-effectiveness, promoting access, improving quality of the teaching/learning process as well as other relevant issues.
   
3. 
   Information including several representative concrete examples of the most pressing immediate issues as well as a survey of the issues that the target audience would find useful to better respond to “b”.
   
4. 
   Examples of information products of queries to be answered which would be useful in responding to the above issues such as comparative costs of different technologies, language of instruction, partnership with the private sector, intellectual property concerns, cultural relevance of programmes offered etc.
   
5. 
   Preferences regarding the methodology and interface preferred for this resource by the target audience including suggestions on what sort of material and what media would be most effective for the target group.
   
6. 
   Mechanisms to maintain updated information for this activity in Kenya.
   
7. 
   Training needs of the target audience in the field of decision-making for Open and Distance Learning in the tertiary level.