An Investigation of Stakeholders Concerns and Perceptions on Open and Distance Education in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Haramaya University

Abstract

This study tried to explore the perceptions of stakeholders in open and distance education with particular reference to the eastern region of Harargie. 120 students, 30 tutors and 10 program coordinators were consulted and considered as subjects of the study. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in the data treatment and analysis. Data were collected from the selected sample through questionnaire, interview and a five point rating scale whose reliability is reported to be very high( = 0.96) and which also shows good content validly. The collected data were treated with percentage, t-test, ANOVA (One-way/Two-way) and the Pearson Product moment correlation(r). The results suggest that the largest proportion of students view distance education in general as an average. Differences and connections between perceptions and level of performance of ODL students in terms of sex, age, program, and academic achievement levels were also observed. Moreover, The late arrival of course modules to the students; the distribution of modules very close to the actual dates of the tutorial sessions; tutors’ reliance on the conventional face-to-face mode of instruction; large class size and the heavy workloads imposed upon tutors in some tutorial centers were some of the major constraints that caused the program to be implemented in an unsatisfactory way. Some respondents perceive distance education programs to be less effective, less systematic and less organized than the conventional system of education.