Distance Education, Information and Communication Technologies - Policy Challenges

This paper by the ADEA Working Group on Distance Education and Open Learning emphasizes the importance of distance education in improving cost-effectiveness, access and quality in African education. However, political obstacles loom on the path to effective use of distance education. Questions are raised about the following: ""{SAUT}the relevance of ICT in African contexts; ""{SAUT}the confusion between ICT and distance education; ""{SAUT}the condition of technological infrastructure; ""{SAUT}the need for favorable policy frameworks. It is ultimately seen that strong commitment on the part of governments, partnerships in the use of resources and the decentralization of supporting services are factors conducive to progress