Greener Journal of Educational Research

Greener Journal of  Educational Research Vol. 3 (5), pp. 206-216, July 2013

 ISSN: 2276-7789 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 062713692

 

Mitigating the Effects of Dwindling Resource Base in Open and Distance Learning through Community Service Programmes

 

*¹Richard Bukaliya, ²Gift Rupande

 

^1,2Zimbabwe Open University, Mashonaland East Region, P.O. BOX 758 Marondera, Zimbabwe.

 

²Email: grupande @ yahoo. com, Tel: +26327922267

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: bukaliar @ gmail. com, Tel: +26327922267

Abstract:

This study is a survey carried out to establish how community service programmes can mitigate the effects of the revenue base at the Zimbabwe Open University. Questionnaires and group discussions were used to solicit data from 39 faculty staff and 100 students chosen through a combination of the convenience and stratified simple random sampling technique. Data were presented and analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study found out that the majority of the students and faculty were willing to take part in organised resource mobilization activities for the Zimbabwe Open University. There were a lot of activities that could be undertaken by faculty and students together in an effort to boost the resources in the university. Faculties had different activities that they could undertake in different organisations and come up with resources for the institution. Some potent strategies that could be adopted include Internet resource mobilization, merchandising, resource mobilization letters and leaflets and sport. Resource mobilization needed to be planned and as much as possible groups should brainstorm and map the way forward together because resource mobilization is everyone`s business. While there was light at the end of the tunnel, time, funds for startup, customer perception and the geographical dispersion of the students were possible inhibiters to the successes of the programme. On the basis of the findings, the present study recommended that the university should harnesses the student body for resource mobilization since they were willing takers to the activities that raise funds and other resources for the institution. There should be well planned activities involving the students and lecturers as well as management since resource mobilisation is no longer “their business” but “ours”. All the activities brought forward by the respondents should be tried for resource mobilization. Internet resource mobilization should be implemented due its propensity to reach a wide clientele.
 
Keywords: Open and Distance Learning, resource base, community service, programmes.

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