Expanding Access For Training Of Science Teachers Through ODL: A Case Study Of University Of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Rising up to the challenge of shortage of middle manpower in Nigeria, the University of Lagos established the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit (COSU), now Distance Learning Institute DLI). Accounting, Business Administration and Science-Education were the pilot courses at the B.Sc. level. The Special Entry Preparatory Programme (SEPP) was floated to upgrade science teachers with minimal qualifications to the GCE A/L which was the qualification for 'direct' admission into the university. The performance of the SEPP group was compared with that of those with GCE A/L when they both came together in the same class. Using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric two-tailed test, it was discovered that the SEPP group performed at the same level as the 'direct' group who had GCE A/L upon admission. Stoppage of the SEPP scheme led to a drastic decline in the number of students in the Science programme. Results showed that the SEPP was a viable feeder into the B.Sc. Science-Education programme at the University of Lagos. (Contains 7 tables and 1 figure.) (As Provided)