Open and Distance Learning for Sustainable Development

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• Policy Ideas and Thoughts (PIT) – includes, thoughts, ideas, philosophy and other
considerations based on the objectives, visions and goals of the project;
• Policy Formulation – translation of ideas, goals and intended outcomes into achievable
targets and format;
• Policy Implementation – turning the ideas into measurable format through the
involvement of various interface including economic, and political disposition of the
implementers.
• Policy Evaluation – this is to gauge the performance of the project. It is the final stage of
the project.
Empirical studies have shown that ODL is highly effective considering the purpose for which it
was created within the policy framework (Terhemba Non Ambe-Uva 2007, Aderinoye and
Ojekheta, 2003).
It is known fact that many stakeholders are interested in ODL mainly because it opens up access
to higher education. Such access has brought succour to parents and students who have waited
endlessly for higher education admission and employees whose job schedules made it impossible
for them to update their knowledge.
However, lofty the policy on ODL might be, it is fraught with partial or non-implementation of
the policy. This is attributable to the various unexpected factors that have come into play in the
process of implementation. These factors have posed some challenges for ODL in Nigeria. These
are in the following areas:
• Capacity building of existing institutions providing distance education;
• Collaboration with education regulatory bodies and institutions offering open and
distance learning;
• Establishment of an open and distance learning advisory body;
• Meeting the needs of employers of labour by mounting courses at the work place.
Craig (1990) opines that lack of due attention to policy implementation is regrettable. It is in this
light that Psacharopolous (1990) identified three variables that negates policy implementation.
There are:
• Non-implementation of the intended policy;
• Failure of the policy to achieve ingtended end and
• Failure of the policy to have intended effect.
From the foregoing, it suffices to say that policies are made without effective implementation.
Policy implementation issues in Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) like in many other nations of the world is not peculiar to
Nigeria. Hence, there is the need for a more concerted effort regarding policy implementation
especially in ODL.
Issues in implementation processes in ODL in Nigeria are discussed below:
Capacity Building of Existing Insitutions for ODL
It should be noted that adequate capacity building is sin qua non for effective implementation of
open and distance learning. Manpower needed to drive the project must be engaged in the right
quantity.