TEC & COL Concludes Quality Assurance Standards Workshop For ODL
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) have concluded a two-day workshop for National Stakeholders for Strategies on the implementation of Quality Assurance Standards for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at Milton Margai Congo Cross Campus.
In his opening remarks, the workshop chairperson, Prof. Bob Conteh, welcomed all participants and went on to outline the purpose of the event which is to develop strategies for implementing quality assurance standards for ODL.
He noted that the demand for education has grown exponentially and that certain questions need answers concerning the type of quality education that will be given to those in demand for this kind of education.
Prof. Conteh added that services rendered by Tertiary Institutions must not only suit the recipients but also the global stage. The chairman emphasized that tertiary institutions are not only training learners for the workplace but for society at large as such that the output need to speak volumes about the kinds of programs they mount, the methods, and a host of other issues related to the open and distance programme.
While delivering his statement Chairman of TEC Prof Alyageen Mohamed Alghali started by giving a brief background on the development of ODL policy. He stated that in 2020, the TEC developed a policy on distance education to regulate tertiary education institutions offering programmes through distance education.
Prof. Algahli added that the policy developed in 2020 was considered by stakeholders as not robust enough as such in order to strengthen ODL policy, the TEC approached the COL to support the development of a national policy on ODL, and guidelines for the development of programmes, courses, and materials.
He expressed that the development of the policy was informed by a high-level consultative meeting on the theme: Strengthening Open Distance Education in Sierra Leone which was held on the 23rd of June 2022 at the MMTU and that upon completion other workshops were conducted for the development and validation of the national ODL policy and guidelines for programs, courses, and materials led by a consultant from COL prof, Jegede. He informed the gathering that the policy was approved by TEC on 8th December 2022 and was sent to Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) for implementation.
The chairman reiterated that to ensure the effectiveness of the policy and regulations for ODL programmes in Sierra Leone, the TEC supported by the COL organized a stakeholder engagement workshop for the development and validation of standards for the assessment of ODL institutions and programmes and that during the workshop, two instruments were developed: standards for assessment and accreditation of ODL institution and standards for assessment for online and e-learning programmes.
Chairman Algahli went on to appreciate COL for their tremendous support to TEC referencing the tireless effort of Professor Jane Agbu. He also appreciated the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie for the effective collaboration with the Commission.
Representative form the Commonwealth of Learning Prof. Jane Francess Agbu gave an overview about COL.
“The Commonwealth of Learning, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, was established in 1987 by the Commonwealth Heads of Government with the vision to create and widen access to opportunities for learning, making use of the potential offered by distance education and by the application of communication technologies to education” she expressed.
She informed the gathering that there are currently 56 members countries of the Commonwealth, 21 of which are in Africa, and specifically, 7 in West Africa and that COL is focused on adding value to member countries with efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG4 which is a commitment to “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Prof highlighted that ODL provides the unique opportunity for the achievement of this goal, through its education (open schooling, HE, Teacher Education, VUSSC, TEL) and skills (TVET, Gender, Lifelong Learning for Farmers) initiatives, and the following three pathways of change: Building National Resilience, Strengthening Institutions and Improving the Lives and Livelihood.
While addressing participants at the workshop, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie applauded the Commonwealth of Learning for their tremendous support toward the ODL Practices in Sierra Leone.
“the ODL is a priority in Sierra Leone especially at a time like this when our universities are challenged with providing physical facilities for all applicants from Senior Secondary School,” She expressed.
She added that ODL is needed in Sierra Leone because it is a priority of the Government to see how we can incorporate digitalization in our day-to-day operations including education.
The training concluded with group work and presentation by participants.
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