Challenges and prospects facing students of distance education in Ghanaian public universities: The case of University of Cape Coast. study centre

Abstract

The study was conducted to find the challenges and prospects facing students of distance education in Ghanaian public universities: the case of University of Cape Coast study centre. The sample for the study were twenty teachers and two hundred students making a total of two hundred and twenty respondents. The respondents were selected from` Cape Coast distance education study centre at Oyoko Methodist senior high school in the Koforidua municipality. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the responses. The result of the study has shown that a majority of the respondents; 70% of students and 75% of tutors were not satisfied with the feedback situation at the UCC distance education programme. Also, majority of the respondents; 65% of students and 85% of tutors faced the challenge of inadequate modules in the UCC distance education programme. Furthermore, most of the respondents; 77% of students and 90% of tutors complained about inadequate support systems for distance students and staff. In addition, there was the issue of inadequate motivation of tutors of the UCC distance education programme. Most of the respondents; 70% of students and 100% of tutors accepted the fact that tutors are not adequately motivated. In light of these findings recommendations were made to enhance the programme. It was recommended that authorities of UCC distance education programme need to address these factors to improve teaching and learning.