More ODL for Sierra Leone

COL continues to build on its expertise in technology-based approaches to open and distance learning (ODL), with three initiatives recently launched in Sierra Leone. At the University of Sierra Leone (USL), the Eastern Technical University (ETU) and other universities in the country, COL supported ODL policy development workshops.

Approximately 40 stakeholders at ETU engaged in drafting and validating an ODL policy. Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mohamed Lahai, acknowledged the role of the Tertiary Education Commission in ensuring ODL is mainstreamed throughout Sierra Leone and expressed appreciation for COL’s support.

During the workshop at USL, a baseline report and the university’s general policy landscape were shared, followed by presentations outlining ODL and the rationale for an ODL policy for higher education in Sierra Leone. An ODL policy outline was approved by stakeholders to guide the draft policy statements.

The Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission organised a four-day stakeholder workshop on ODL design for teacher training. The high-level workshop drew participants from various teacher training institutes and national institutions. Based on its outcomes, tentative guidelines have been drafted for ODL in-service training courses that lead to certification, as well as courses proposed as credit-bearing for promotion and career advancement.

With support from COL, Sierra Leone’s Freetown Polytechnic (FP) conducted a workshop aimed at building academic and administrative capacity to establish ODL learner support services. From the workshop, FP developed an ODL learner’s manual on support services, covering key aspects such as academic, administrative, technical, emotional and peer-related support.