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This study aimed at investigating the experience of female adult learners in accessing diploma education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Specifically, the study aimed at examining the females’ perceptions towards accessing diploma education through ODL, challenges encountered by them in ODL context, as well as solutions of eliminating the perceived challenges. Two ODL centers in Morogoro region under the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) were selected as the study location. Purposive sampling was employed to get 23 participants including female ODL learners, facilitators, District Adult Education Officers as well as the Regional Resident Tutor. Phenomenological design was used under the qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interview, Focus Group Discussion and documentary review were used in data collection. The obtained data were well analyzed thematically.
The findings indicated that females as well as other IAE education stakeholders had positive perceptions towards education access through ODL. Since they positively perceived the benefits of ODL and appreciated the IAE provisions offered in ODL programmes. Moreover, they were not disappointed by the entry qualification and females’ participation rate in ODL programmes. However, some female learners had negative which was termed as challenges by the researcher. The challenges which were claimed by the participants are categorized into individual, instructional and institutional. For instance, multiple responsibilities, inadequate teaching and learning materials and inadequate trained facilitators, just to mention a few, were among the challenges. The participants in general suggested that the increase of all necessary resources in ODL will motivate many people to join it. Hence, the study recommends that the government should put priority to ODL programmes and ensure the provision of enough funds that will enable the increase of teaching and learning resources |
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