BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF THE FREETOWN TEACHERS COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR SERVING PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SIERRA LEONE

The study investigated the benefits and challenges of the Freetown Teachers College Distance Education Programme for serving primary and junior secondary school teachers in Sierra Leone. The distance learners here are referred to as student-teachersor serving teachers. The distance education programme of Freetown Teachers College has been in operation for over a decade now. It has been receiving and continues to receive and turn out student-teachers in the Teachers Certificate and Higher Teachers Certificate primary and secondary programmes. This study ascertained the success story and challenges of the institution as a service provider of distance education among, which are cost effectiveness and inadequate equipment and facilities respectively. The study targeted respondents from the existing nine campuses. Two hundred (n=200) students-teachers, nine (n=9) administrators and fifty (n=50) tutors formed the sample which was drawn by simple random sampling taking cognizance of gender and programme of study. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire, interview and observation. Data generated from the above instruments were entered into IBM SPSS version 22 software and analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, cross tabulation and correlation. Participants responded to interviews and completed a questionnaire. Observation of respondents with the aid of an observation check list also formed part of the data collection drive. Results from the study indicated some benefits in the distance education programme since its inception, but not without challenges. The benefits and challenges were highlighted, discussed, conclusions drawn and recommendations made. The findings and conclusions are relevant for other institutions in the drive to providing or already providing distance education programmes in Sierra Leone.