A Survey on the Provision of Distance Education in PHEIs: A Comparative Case Study

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the current provision of Distance Education (DE) in three PHEIs in Addis Ababa namely, St. Mary's College, Unity University College and Alpha Distance Education Institute. As a result of their situational and functional limitations, most of the government higher educations institutions are unable to accommodate many students beyond their already (existing and expanding) vast regular and extension programs. Accordingly, with regard to the provision of educational opportunity through distance learning at higher level, the better and potential option, at hand, are the well established PHEIs like St. Mary's College, Unity University College and Alpha Distance Education Institute. These PHEIs have already started Distance Education Programs that are becoming popular in the various Regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, the major purposes of this study are the following: 1. To discuss and forward comparative analysis of the provision and organization of distance education in the three PHEIS in Addis Ababa. 2. To investigate the factors that positively and/or negatively affect the distance education programs in these institutes 3. Finally, based on the findings of this study, to forward viable conclusions and recommendations pertaining to the provision and organization of distance education Questionnaire survey was conducted with staff of distance education institutions and interview was made with some officials of the institutions to collect data. The data were analysed through descriptive statistics and presented in tabulations. The major finding in this study revealed that staff of the institutions believe that distance education provision has some merits over conventional education, but distance education provision in PHEIs is facing some constraints that require some actions.