Open and Distance Education as a Strategy for Improving Higher Education in the 21st Century in Kenya-a Case of the University of Nairobi

Abstract

This article is grounded on basic argument that higher education is a necessity for all citizens and not a right for a privileged few. The authors advocate  for the adoption of Open and Distance Education (ODE) in all the higher learning institutions in order to ensure access to higher education by all. Studies done on ODE reveal that there is no significant difference between the performance of students who go through ODE and their counterparts in the traditional classroom. Data for the study was collected through desk review. Discussion of empirical studies on ODE is done with a view to demystify the concept of ODE as a viable strategy to improve and develop higher education in Kenya using the case of the University of Nairobi.

Key words: Distance education, Open and Distance Learning, Learner support Systems