Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges and prospects of open schooling at secondary education level with the aim of unearthing policy options and strategies for improving the quality of education offered through open secondary schools. Moore and Kearsley (2012) systems approach to distance education guided the study. It was a case study design within a qualitative approach in which purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used. Data was generated from four host institution managers, four open school coordinators, 24 open school facilitators/teachers, 24 open school learners and eight parents of open school learners using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. The study revealed several challenges facing open secondary schools such as overcrowded classrooms, lack of learner centred modules, absence of inspection and supervision, restriction on the use host institution library and laboratory, lack of a comprehensive quality assurance system, lack of teachers’ preparations of schemes and records of work, and lesson plans. The study concludes that there is absence of stakeholders’ commitment towards open secondary schools which is contributing to poor quality of education in open schools. The implication is that open schools will continue to attract negative publicity due to poor quality of education being offered in such schools. Despites these challenges, it is clear from the study that open schooling provides the only feasible and cost-effective alternative for increasing access to quality secondary education because it accommodates the education needs of different individuals.

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School	: School of Education
Issued Date	: 2017

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