UNISA Announces Its Presence

Ike Vavi
Correspondent | Monday September 20, 2010 00:00

From the numbers, and the atmosphere that prevails, it is clear that Batswana are thirsty for education.

They want to expand their horizons. The conference room is filled to capacity. Some poor souls who arrived late have no place to sit. They have opted to either sit on the floor or remain standing to attend this information sharing session.

The main theme of the evening is distance education. Excitement grips the room as the UNISA announces that their programmes are 'flexible, affordable and most importantly user friendly. They are aimed at ensuring that everybody gains access to education'.

Tanyala Mangisi says: 'Distance learning is one of the learning methods that can benefit a lot of people. It can give the individuals particularly those who want to further their studies the opportunity to do so in the comfort of their homes'.

She continues: 'This is one mode that is more relevant to today's world which is characterised by so many challenges that makes formal or full time schooling a bit of a challenge'.

'The University of Botswana does not have many courses that are offered through the distance learning mode. Botswana College of Open and Distance Learning (BOCODOL) unfortunately have their limitations in terms of the numbers they admit per year. They also do not offer many postgraduate courses.

'This therefore leaves us with no choice but to go for private institutions that are available in town, some of which unfortunately charge exorbitant prices.'  she argues.

Monthusi Sethora wants to do a risk management and bachelor of criminology programme with UNISA.

'Being in the Northern part of Botswana, is a challenge for anybody with the ambition of furthering their studies with local institutions especially through distance learning.

'This is because they are no enough courses one can do with our local institutions through distance learning,' he says.

Sethora argues that 'those who are working in Gaborone have the opportunity and the advantage as they can further their studies with the University of Botswana through part time studies. For us in the north, the only mode that will be suitable is the distance learning mode that is not yet available in most of the local institutions'/

He laments that, 'This explains why many people who harbour any intentions of furthering their education with the University of Botswana always try to look for employment opportunities in and around Gaborone.'

Sethora appeals to local institutions to consider using the distance learning mode 'as that will surely attract large numbers of learners. It is a cheaper model, which will obviously encourage most people to study'.

For now unfortunately as Sethora says, 'We have no choice but to look beyond our borders for any opportunity to further our studies. We have no choice but to do it because the current set up in our local institutions cannot cater for our needs.

Distance learning is therefore a must and should be at the centre stage of the planning process in the education circles. The days of fulltime schooling are behind us. Distance learning is therefore the route to take if our country is to have skilled personnel who can compete favourably with the international community.'