• Program will address more than 3 million students
ADDIS ABABA – Distance education interpretation guideline that will start its operation after two months helps to assure quality distance education in addressing more than three million students, Ministry of Education (MoE) disclosed.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Mohamed Abubeker, Adult and Non Formal Education Director with the Ministry stated that the implementation guide is on final track to be implemented. As to him, the tool will help to assure citizen’s right to get their education access besides achieving “education for all” program upon implementation.
He also added that the implementation guide will have an advantage of eschewing corruption and lack of follow up on education quality. This opportunity particularly address students from grade 5 to 12 who could not get easy education access around their village and those who terminated their education due to different reasons. In this regard, both government and private schools can participate on the program, he noted.
The guide most importantly tries to address basic “Wh” questions which include who can participate in the program, which subjects would be offered, educational facilities, academic schedule and the amount of tuition fee.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald Abbi Lemma (PhD), Institutional Quality Assurance Director for Jimma University said that distance education can address different parts of the society across the country who cannot attend formal education. Accordingly it is estimated to provide educational access for more than three million people who support themselves by working during the day time and others who stay at home due to various types of challenges.
According to Abbi, designing a frame work is a beginning not an end. Therefore, it needs extensive support from government and educational experts apart from private sector. More importantly, investors should try to think about helping society coupled with their profitability. Hence, they should invest on fulfilling quality educational facilities including laboratories, libraries and modules, he noted.
Meanwhile, the ministry should use effective controlling and evaluation mechanism in order to cross check if institutions are offering quality education. In doing this, they have to give priority about tutorial centers, module preparations, teachers and coordinators. More specifically, there must be an agreement between institutions and Ministry or Education and regional Education Bureaus. Adding to the point, Abbi said that all stake holders should work for its implementation.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 30/2019
BY HIZKEL HAILU
