Browsing by Author "Dr,Nyangas James A."

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Determining factors influencing learners' decisions to develop their professionals through Open and Distance Learning at the learning centres.
(The World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI), 2025) Semwenda Joyceline A.; Prof, Kira Ernest S.; Dr,Nyangas James A.; Dr,Msangya Benedicto W.; Prof,Athuman Jamal J.
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative mode of education in Tanzania, especially among the adult working class who wish to advance their professions without attending full-time classes. This quantitative study aims to determine the factors that influence learners to pursue professional development through ODL at learning centres. The study involved 576 continuing and graduated diploma learners from the Institute of Adult Education in Mbeya, Ruvuma, and Dar es Salaam. A closed questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Key descriptive statistics were used, including tables, frequencies, and percentages, to analyse and present the findings using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). The findings reveal that respondents’ socioeconomic status, age, gender, marital status, and region significantly influence their decision to study through the ODL mode. Considering the needs and preferences of learners regarding this mode of learning is crucial. This consideration will encourage more learners to use open and distance learning, which will increase enrolment and lower dropout rates. The study recommends that the provision of good administrative support services and well-equipped offices at the learning centres will motivate learners’ choices toward the ODL mode of learning. Besides, adequate and qualified staff should be employed in the main offices at the regional centres to promote efficient delivery of services to ODL learners