Provision Of Institutional Support Services To Distance Learners: a case Study of Mwanza and Kagera Regional Centres of the Open University of Tanzania

This is a case study on provision of institutional support services to distance learners in the Regional Centers. The main purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the institutional support services provided in the Regional Centers were able to facilitate students' learning at a distance. Review of literature revealed that distance learners require support services from both institution and the immediate social] environment. The reason is that the majorities are isolated from both their peers and the institution. Quality assurance, adequacy, effective coordination and organization in the provision of support services are very crucial in enhancing the proper acquisition of knowledge by distance learners. The study opted for qualitative paradigm based on case study design. The study was conducted in Mwanza and Kagera Regional Centres of the Open University of Tanzania The main empirical focus of the investigation was the students, the tutors and the Regional Directors of Mwanza and Kagera Regional Centers of the Open University of Tanzania, Librarian and Director of Regional Services. The sampling procedures included purposive and stratified random sampling. The methods and instruments for data collection were interview method, documentary analysis, and observation checklist. The sample for the study included forty OUT students, eight part time tutors, and four OUT administrators. Findings of the field research indicate that there was an inadequate provision of institutional support services to distance learners in Mwanza and Kagera Regional Centers. It was also observed that the institutional support provided was not up to a standard required to make effective learning possible. Also there were inadequate human and material resources in the Region Centers. Moreover there was ineffective coordination and organization of institutional support services, characterized by poor communication among students, Regional Directors and OUT headquarters On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that there is a need for providing adequate institutional support services to distance learners and quality standards should be observed. Qualified and competent human resources should be employed to assist distance famers and special distance education courses should be offered to a]] facilitators in the Regional Centers in order to improve working performance, Effective communication and feedback mechanisms should be enhanced between Regional centers, headquarters and distance learners. Further research could be focused on quality control and assurance in the provision of institutional] support services at Regional centers. Moreover comparative analysis focusing on organization and coordination of support services at the Regional centers should be done.