A Comparative Analysis of Service Delivery in ODL for ZOU and Other ODL Institutions

Abstract

The thrust of this study is to carry out a comparative analysis of service delivery in Open and Distance learning (ODL) for other ODL institutions and Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). The methodology has been triangulated, with the research design triangulated in terms of descriptive survey, case study and document analysis. The population is other ODL institutions in Southern Africa and ZOU students in Bulawayo, based on quota sampling in order to get the sample size of 147 registered ZOU students and 84 other ODL institutions students, half the actual number in Bulawayo. Questionnaires were administered to both other ODL institutions and ZOU students in Bulawayo. Interviews were conducted to two renowned academics in Bulawayo who are products of both ZOU and another ODL institution. The study established that, ZOU's academic staff are highly qualified, knowledgeable and more enthusiastic than other ODL institutions' staff but ZOU staff cannot extend working hours. Most of the other ODL institutions' manning Bulawayo centres are not degreed hence they lack competence. ZOU's modules are excellent as compared to other ODL institutions but they are poorly distributed. ZOU's library has a very good collection of books but has no internet services. ZOU is still to establish a reputation as high as that of a mega university like other ODL institutions in order to attract local students. The study recommends that ZOU should improve on its module distribution as this must be done timely and they must be relevant to the courses on offer. ZOU's payment plan should be accommodative and have discounts for early payments. ZOU should work hard to earn the reputation like that one being currently enjoyed by other ODL institutions.