Distance Education in Zambia. A Report on a Consultancy.

Overview & Synopsis

Education is a key element in Zambia's national development; distance education is particularly suitable as a means of human resource development. The main purposes of distance education are to provide education for the unserved, predominantly rural indigenous population; provide second-chance education for dropouts; raise the educational level of teachers and the general population; provide opportunity to gain qualifications; and improve community health and agriculture. Distance education agencies that have shown considerable determination and dedication to providing educational service are the National Correspondence College, Department of Correspondence Studies at the University of Zambia, and Education Broadcasting Services. The potential of distance education to contribute to the solution of social, economic, and educational problems has been recognized and picked up so enthusiastically that efforts have become diffuse and resources spread too thinly. Successful distance education requires material development, standards, government support, and coordination and mutual support. Three possible ways to assist Zambian distance education are to assist individual institutions only, to assist the government in establishing a nationally integrated distance teaching infrastructure, and to coordinate distance teaching agencies. (31 references) (YLB)