Female access to basic education: a case for open distance learning (ODL)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Open Distance Learning (ODL) on the female access to basic education. The population of the study consists of all lecturers/teachers of ODL centres in Benin City, Edo State. Five ODL/Community Resource Study centres were identified and used for the study. The Lecturers responded to the “Female Education and Distance Learning Questionnaire” (FEDLQ). The validated and reliable (.76) instrument was used to collect data. The analysis of data revealed that ODL has significant influence on female enrolment and attendance. It showed that ODL will give girls a chance to catch up academically with their male counterparts who, unlike them, have every opportunity to attend school. The result of the study strongly recommends ODL as a strategy for ensuring that girls enrol and attend school and consequently, fundamental to female economic opportunity. With ODL female children can have access to education at their convenience. Key Words: Open Distance Learning; Basic Education; Access; Female