Role of Distance Education in the Expansion of Female Education Higher Level in Pakistan: A Review

Overview & Synopsis

The present paper investigated the role of distance education in the expansion of educational facilities for females at higher levels of education in Pakistan. The findings of the study report that distance education is playing a vital role in the expansion of female education at higher level as such females who, due to some personal or social compulsions, are not able to attend regular institution/university in order to enhance their educational, distance education proves to be a blessing for such females. Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is the pioneer in provision of distance education in Pakistan and at present it is playing a significant role in provision of better higher education facilities, especially females are enjoying from these educational facilities as the system of AIOU is flexible enough for females and it provides them equal opportunity to uplift their educational status in spite of the different hurdles in the way of getting higher education without disturbing their family or personal problems. More incentives for females on the part of AIOU for getting higher education may increase the number of female students in AIOU programs of higher education in Pakistan. (Contains 6 tables and 5 graphs.)