ODL for Knowledge Development and Economic Growth in South Africa a Policy Analysis Paper for ODL

Darrell R. Myrick 
(Department of Public Administration and Management, University of South Africa (Unisa), South Africa)

Abstract: The notion that ODL can be a mechanism for economic growth and sustainable development is in much evidence on the African continent. Open distance and learning, for example can be found to be a key component of Namibia’s development strategy. Indeed, there are four (4) funded ODL institutions in Namibia—namely, the Centre for External Studies (CEMS) at the University of Namibia, the Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning at the Polytechnic of Namibia, the Namibian College of Open Learning and the National Institute for Educational Development. Moreover, the Namibian Broadcasting Company is legislated to provide educational broadcasting, thereby supporting and advancing the national agenda for ODL in Namibia. Farther to the north, the demand for education as a commodity and limited supply of education service providers fuelled the need for ODL in Nigeria. Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria has its roots in [corresponding] students, as far back as 1887, enrolling for the University of London’s matriculation exam. In modern times, the Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria offers the Correspondence and Teacher’s In Service Programme and the University of Lagos is home to the Distance Learning Institute, formerly known as the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit. Other distance education institutions include the National Teachers’’ Institute and the External Study Programme, now known as the Centre for External Studies at the University of Ibadan. Considering education to be a developmental process in Nigeria, development can then be said to have been advanced when one considers that, comparatively, more than 300,000 graduate teachers were produced as compared to 45,150 eight years earlier in 1982. Sampling revealed that many students taught by NTI teachers went on to become successful entrepreneurs, women in business and teachers in their own right. This leads to a reflection of ODL in the South African context and how ODL manifest itself as a mechanism for economic growth and development. Towards that end, ODL funding in South Africa is discussed.

Key words: open and distance learning (ODL); government subsidies and grants; economic growth

JEL code: L25