Effects of Student Support Services on Distance Learners in Selected Centres of Jackson College of Education

Isolation, role conflict and stress have been worldwide debated as the numerous challenges facing distance learners. Higher education administrators have proposed student support services as a remedy for such challenges. This study investigates student support services at Jackson College of Education and their impact on students success in the face of the numerous challenges of distance education. The research was a descriptive study that used both qualitative and quantitative methods. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect data from 61 respondents selected with stratified and purposive sampling techniques from different centres. The study revealed that improved administrative support services, effective communication, financial support and improved learning and teaching as the four major effects of student support services on the distance learners. The study also revealed that student support services improve learning and enhance the flexibility in distance education. Out of three major support services identified JEC has a grip on pre-enrolment support services.