Distance Education at the University of Buea, Cameroon

Abstract

The Distance Education programme in the University of Buea started in 2008.  It is aimed at upgrading the knowledge and skills of teachers of Nursery and Primary schools to degree level.  The B.Ed in Nursery and Primary Education is an eight semester programme.  It is primarily print based and tutorials are delivered face-to-face in study centres in different regions of the country.  This is reinforced by telephone tutorials in between the tutorial sessions.  Tutorial meetings last one week and are held twice each semester, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the semester.  Assessment in based on continuous assessment in the form of two take home assignments which counts for thirty percent of the marks and an end of semester examination which covers the remaining seventy percent of the marks.  The programme is funded from government subventions and fees paid by students.  The first batch of students graduated in the 2011/2012 academic year.

Keywords: Distance Education, Education, University of Buea, Higher Education