E-Learning Encounters in Malawi Higher Education Institutions
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
International Journal for e-Learning Security (IJeLS), Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2019 E-learning Encounters in Malawi Higher Education Institutions Albert K. M. Y. Kayange Unicaf University, Malawi Abstract population growth of scholars. Disproportion of Higher Education is key to any country’s admittance to higher education is still a challenge economic growth and stability [1]. Countries flourish worldwide but worse in Africa. This is echoed by when their educational systems are doing well [2]. It Southern Africa Regional Universities Association is therefore worrisome that Malawi’s’ higher (2011) which registered its disappointment on the too education enrolment is among the lowest in the word low recruitment to higher education. This paper will (World Bank, 2016). Concurrently, UNDP (2014) therefore discuss the need for adapting e-learning in Report outlines that Malawi is one of the poorest Malawi, its challenges and the role of other education countries in the world and has a corresponding high partners in reinforcing e-learning in the country on a level of high rate of illiteracy. Higher Institutions in conceptual basis. Malawi like any other developing countries adopted e- learning in an effort to increase access to higher education in the year 2011 through both public and 2. Background private universities [5]. The educational reform was established without e-learning basic requirement Malawi got its independence from the British on th establishment. This paper will therefore discuss the 6 July, 1964 under the leadership of a dictator (Dr. importance of e-learning to a developing country like Hastings Kamuzu Banda) who established one party Malawi, its challenges and suggestions of how to rule. At this time, the country had no university. overcome them in order to successfully implement e- However, in October, 1964, Malawi created its first learning. Further, the paper suggest that benefits and Public University which adopted a conventional opportunities of e-learning by far outweighs its teaching and learning approach. At this time, the challenges hence the need to reinforce it. The paper Malawi population was 3,963423 (United Nations will finally recommend other partners in education on 1948). In 1994, the country adopted a multiparty how best they can work together with the Malawi democratic system, marking the end of dictatorial Government to sustain e-learning system in higher leadership. At this time, secondary school enrolment education institutions in Malawi. rate was 1.5 percent. The change of government from dictatorship to multi-party democracy has also 1. Introduction accommodated the establishment of private Universities. As of 2018, there were twenty-one private universities in Malawi. In 2017, Malawi’s United Nations (1948) Article Number 26 population was estimated to be 17.2 million out of stipulates that higher education will be likewise which 73 percent were under the age of thirty-five available to all on the foundation of excellence. Article years (Malawi Government 2015). According to 13 of the United Nations (1966) hinges on the same Malawi Demographics and Health Survey (2015- that higher education will be made similarly available 2016), thirty six percent of men and twenty six percent to all on the foundation of ability by ever suitable of women of age ranging from 15-49 had attended a resources. United Nations articles are contrary to the secondary school education, a situation which is reality especially in developing countries like Malawi. worrisome to the socio-economic development of the A report by Commonwealth of Learning (2002), country. Worse, 0.8 percent of the population access indicates that none of the Sub Saharan Countries higher education (Malawi Government, 2018). The (Malawi inclusive) have managed to provide higher Malawi Higher Education enrolment compares to an education to the whole population through face to face African contrary average of 13%, global average of mode of learning despite of the fact that education is a 33% and a developed country average of above 60% human right issue. This is enough evidence that (World Bank, 2010). conventional mode of learning is not coping with rapid Copyright © 2019, Infonomics Society 592 International Journal for e-Learning Security (IJeLS), Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2019 According to Malawi National Council for Higher change and beliefs in the old and usual ways of Education (NCHE), in order to qualify for entry into a conducting business. If such characters are in decision bachelor degree program at either a private or public making positions, they make sure changes fails or university in Malawi, one requires to have six credits delays. Technophilia regards technology as solution to (English inclusive) as part of a Malawi School human challenge or human development promoter. Certificate of Education (MSCE). This is often viewed Technophobia incorporates a variety of negative as quality assurance check that a student may emotions nervousness, ineffectiveness, anxiety, adequately handle degree level study. However, pressure and uneasiness. In developing countries such according to Manda (2019), the control measure of six as Malawi, the change through computerized systems credits is not necessarily quality related but due to in education system and organizations is somehow necessity of restricting access because of limited space viewed negatively, especially in assessment in universities country wide. This cut off point strategy understanding. It requires great sensitization campaign to access higher education further hinders access to programs to pave the way for such implementation. higher education in Malawi. The panic which comes due to uncertainties like losing In order to increase access to higher education, jobs by redundancy process as a result of Malawi has undergone several limited trials such as: computerization technology is a corporate Open Distance Learning (ODL); Malawi College of phenomenon. In Malawi like other developing Distance Education (MCDE); Malawi countries, examination process such as assessment and Correspondence College of Distance Education invigilation is one of the many ways academicians (MCCDE) and Radio programs. However, many benefit their subsistence allowances by leaving their qualifying students still have no access to Higher work stations and availing themselves in examination Education and fail to meet the standards espoused in formation, moderation, invigilation and marking. the United Nations Declarations of Human Rights Nevertheless, as the labor force appreciates that (United Nations 1948). According to UNDP (2005); expertise in computer management also aims at UNESCO (2005) and WSIS (2005), Education is an personal or individual development, opposition to the important influence for poverty alleviation and institution of computers is reduced while the economic growth. The use of Information and beneficiaries eases their lives and others through Communication Technology (ICTs) to enhance innovations. information dissemination and teaching and learning According to Soong [24], the technophobes are (E-learning) has enormous potential in improving obviously to be those never touched and used access to higher education despite of having problems computer during their early lifetime. They never even and encounters in developing countries [13]. saw computers by then. Their personal hatred and nervousness about computers comes into being due to 3. E-learning several assumed reasons. They wish not to be embarrassed with change by younger generation, a Delamonica et al. [23] have indicated that a thing which brings humiliations. They would therefore number of happenings by both local and international like to resist change in order to retain their honor. The communities search for e‐learning utilizations situation may force them to hate younger generation technology in order to escalate access to education. by trying to surpass their knowledge. Such people may Régimes and educational establishments should not want to force their awkward hard work learn new therefore look at e‐learning as one of the reliable technology. It might be that they feel their time of options which can be subjected to attain the learning things which are new in nature is over. They significance of millennium objective, called by some may as well be afraid of embarrassment in situations scholars as ‘universal education’. The focus should be where they may break new or part of working on extents that are supposed to increase admission to equipment due to lack of knowledge for handling education and cost-effective liberation. them. According to Britain and Liber [18], Virtual Technophobia reduce speed of innovations when Learning Environment (VLE) encompasses both employees are not eager to agree to take new opportunities and threats. Transformational agents responsibilities for the transformation to be effected. regards VLE as an opportunity to facilitate and The following are some of the solutions to overcome increase efficiency in academia. Scholars who are technophobia: information sharing through dealing with the association between technology and conferences and workshops; providing evocative and the general public belong to one of the two terms unremitting sustenance to support entities to called technophobia and technophilia. Technophobia categorize and overawed their uncertainties and finally regards technology as a desensitizing process. Such to generate an approachable scholarship atmosphere groups are technology