Abstract:
Distance education is an excellent method of learning which gives learners the greatest possible control over the time, place and pace of education. However, it is not without problems. This study examined the status and growth of distance education programmes at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). It also examined the significance as an alternative to attaining higher tertiary education, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as the concerns of learners on the programmes.
The explorative and descriptive surveys were the designs chosen for the study. A sample size of 209 was considered out of a population of 1210 and with a simple lottery method the respondents were selected. Data were collected from both field and secondary sources. The primary data was collated through structured and unstructured questionnaire for students and interview schedule for the key informants (coordinators and DESAG representatives) while the secondary source of information was from documents. The field data were analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS).
The study revealed that the UCC distance education is of great importance to the competence development of teachers who enroll on the programmes. Nonetheless the challenges students face during the course of their study should be given attention. Students on the programmes recommended among other things to the authorities of the University of Cape Coast that all effort must be made to sustain the good standard of the distance education programmes.
