Women’s access to higher education: the Case of Kinondoni and Coast Regional Centres of the Open University of Tanzania

This study investigated the women’s access to higher education at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT). The study looked at factors influencing women to access higher education at OUT; it investigated the challenges facing women in accessing higher education at OUT; and examined the resources that support women to succeed their studies at OUT. Specifically, the study used qualitative and quantitative approaches with a focus on singular case study design. Data collection process involved the use of questionnaire, interviews, documentation, observation checklist and pictures. Content analysis and simple statistics driven from SPSS guided data analysis procedures. The study revealed that there is an increase in the number of women who accessed higher education through OUT. However, the increase was gradual. The study revealed that, women accessed higher education at OUT because they needed to expand their knowledge, develop their carriers and sharpen their skills. In trying to fulfill their goals they experienced challenges such as children bearing, household commitments, family matters as well as studying at night. Furthermore, most of the women postponed or prolonged studies due to the scarcity of resources such as human, physical and financial resources. In this regard, it was recommended that society, the government, the university, families and employers should ensure that there is conducive study environment to support females in their studies; moreover the OUT needs to advertise more its programmes so that they can serve various people, specifically women. This will assist in the number of women who can access higher education through distance education. There is also a need for the government and the OUT to educate society through different media about the importance of educating women. Moreover, regional centers should be well equipped with physical facilities, like, study materials, computer laboratories and libraries services.