Dissertation (MA Education)The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of open and distance learning on the provision of secondary school education in rural areas, particularly in Geita Region. The study was guided by three specific objectives, namely to find out factors influencing for opting open distance learning (ODL) secondary school education in rural areas around Geita Region, to investigate the challenges that hinder students from accessing secondary school education through ODL in rural areas around Geita Region and to assessed the effectiveness of ODL on the provision of secondary school education in rural areas around Geita Region. This study mainly employed qualitative approach with the support of quantitative approach and crosssectional research design. Data were collected from five ODL institutions and the District secondary education office through the questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data obtained were organized into common themes and subthemes which were later on described with the support of quotes from interviews and literature. Quantitative data were organized and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study found that the students’ enrollment into secondary through ODL was flexible to accommodate students of all ages who could not be absorbed into formal secondary school system. However, it was observed that ODL students were facing various challenges related to ODL institutions and individual students. It is recommended in the study that, currently, ODL requires the provision of appropriate student support services and application of ICTs in teaching and learning in order to improve the provision of secondary school education to out of school youth and adults.