IMPACT OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING ON NIGERIA EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of open and distance learning on Nigeria’s educational system. The descriptive research survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised of students and graduates from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) who are teachers in public senior and junior secondary schools in Edo State. A sample of 65 students and 20 graduates was drawn from the population using a stratified sampling technique. Two research questions guided the study and were answered with descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. A 10-item questionnaire titled “Impact of Open and Distance Learning on Nigeria Education System (IODLNES)” was used to elicit information from the respondents. The instrument was validated by two experts and the test re-test method of reliability was used with a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Findings from the study revealed that quality and standard educational experiences are provided for students of open and distance education and that the perception of distance education students positively affected their attitude towards learning. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others, that there should be the establishment of open and distance education centres in every university in Nigeria.