Contrary to the general perception that Distance Learning Education in Nigeria is inferior in quality and standard to Conventional University Education, the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode actually operates the same way as the regular University programmes with only a few exceptions.

This was made known by the Director of Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Professor Oyesoji Amos Aremu who blamed the negative perception held about the Open and Distance Learning Education on the uninformed attitudes and regimented mind-sets of people.

Professor Aremu, a Professor of Counselling and Criminal Studies at the University of Ibadan, in an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on its online television programme Community Today, explained how the wrong perception people have about Distance Learning rob them of the opportunity to acquire a University Degree after failing to gain access into a University through the regular mode.

UI DLC Director, Prof Oyesoji Aremu (L) with Mr Cletus Ilobanafor (R) during the Interview on ';Community Today';

He said “A lot of people have the perception that ODL is inferior to regular mode and this prevents them from getting a university degree. Many people write the UTME exams over and over again without getting admission into the university, yet they will not want to apply for ODL because of their perception that the quality of ODL education is of a lower standard to that of regular programme.

“The reason why people go about with this wrong notion is because of two things – their attitudes and mind-sets. A lot of people are still not informed about the operations of ODL as well as its benefits, that is why they have wrong attitudes about the programme. Also, many people have the conviction that the regular university programme is the only way to acquire a sound and tenable university degree, which accounts for their regimented mind-sets,” Prof Aremu explained.    

The UI DLC Director stated that the Open and Distance Learning Education has the same mode of operation as the regular University education with the exception that the Distance Learning involves the use of media technology to teach and learn with little or no physical contact between the learners and their facilitators.

Describing Distance Learning as “Education without walls or borders”, Prof Aremu also explained that learners on the Distance Learning mode use the same course content as students in the regular University programme and they are taught, supervised and graded by the same lectures who handle students on the regular programme.

“Open and Distance Learning education is the same with conventional university education. The only difference is the mode of teaching. The two programmes use the same course contents and the students under the two modes are taught by the same lecturers. So the only difference is the mode of learning. Where regular students receive lectures physically on the campus, ODL students receive lectures and course materials through media technology,” the Professor explained.

Debunking the impression that ODL students are not as intelligent as their counterparts in the regular programme, Prof Aremu stated that ODL students can compete favourably with their counterparts on the regular mode, adding that the ODL mode has produced a lot of First Class graduates. “I can tell you categorically that many students on the ODL mode graduated with First Class and Second Class Upper degrees. Many of them are doing well and making waves in their various fields of endeavours locally and internationally,” said the Professor.

Prof Aremu further clarified that contrary to what people believe, learners on the distance learning mode at the University of Ibadan acquire the same certificate as the regular students of the university without any indication that they had undergone the ODL programme. He also assured that graduates of the ODL programme can pursue further post graduate studies in any University without fear of discrimination or rejection.

UI DLC Director, Prof Oyesoji Aremu seated Left with Journalists present at the Interview

On whether ODL students get affected by strike actions in the university, the UI DLC Director stated that since the facilitators and staff who handle ODL students are part of the University’s unions, the learners are also affected by strikes embarked on by the unions. He however noted that a proposal is currently under way to allow running ODL programmes get concluded in the event of any strike action.

He said “We are currently working on a proposal that if there is a sudden strike action and ODL is on a programme or writing exams at that time, the union embarking on that strike should allow such programmes to be concluded without interruptions and we are grateful to the union because it is also with us on it.”

On the entry requirements into distance learning programmes, the UI DLC Director explained that interested applicants are required to have five credits at one sitting or six credits at two sittings in their O’Level results. Although he stated that applicants are not required to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), they will however write an entrance examination set up by the Distance Learning Centre which would qualify them for admission.