An Analytical Study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open Univeristy and Developinga Plan of Action for Future
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AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF REGIONAL SERVICES NETWORK OF ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERISTY AND DEVELOPINGA PLAN OF ACTION FOR FUTURE Sajjad Ahmad Jilani Roll No.P859948 Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership, Faculty of Education Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad 2011 AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF REGIONAL SERVICES NETWORK OF ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERISTY AND DEVELOPINGA PLAN OF ACTION FOR FUTURE Sajjad Ahmad Jilani Roll No.P859948 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education with Specialization in Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership, Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad 2011 ii DEDICATION I dedicate this research to my deceased parents who, enabled me to reach this stage of my life and to my wife and children whose love and sincere passions enabled me to achieve this research work and I completed this study. iii DECLARATION I Sajjad Ahamad Jilani Roll No. P859948 a student of PhD at the Allama Iqbal Open University do hereby solemnly declare that the thesis entitled, “An Analytical Study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open University and developing a Plan of Action for Future” submitted by me in partial fulfillment of PhD degree in Education with specialization in Educational Planning Policy Studies and Leadership is my original work except where otherwise acknowledged in the text. I further declare that during the period of this registered Study, the author has not been registered for any other academic award or qualification. The material included in this dissertation has not been submitted wholly or in part for any academic award or qualification other than that for while it is now submitted. Sajjad Ahmad Jilani Roll No.P859948 iv FORWARDING SHEET The thesis entitled “An Analytical Study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open University and Developing a Plan of Action for Future” prepared and submitted by SajjadA.Jilani Roll No.P859948 under my guidance and I am satisfied with the quality of student’s research work. (Dr Aisha Akbar) Supervisor Dated _________________ v APPROVAL SHEET Title of thesis: An Analytical Study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open University and Developing a Plan of Action for Future. NAme of Student: SAJJAD AHMAD JILANI Roll No: P-849948 Accepted by the Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Education, Specialization in Educational Planning and Management (EPM) from the Department of Educational Planning Policy Studies and Leadership (EPPSL) ___________________ (DR. AISHA AKBAR) Supervisor Viva Voce Committee ______________________________ Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hameed Nawaz External Examiner __________________________ Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad Internal Examiner ______________ Dr. Afshan Huma Head of Department _____________________ Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Dean, Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Dated: __________________ vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am humbly thankful to Almighty Allah for His blessings, who provided me this opportunity, courage and enabled me to complete this research work. This research study has been carried out through the support, contribution, collaboration, guidance and encouragements of many eminent scholars to whom I feel deeply indebted. Evidently, I cannot mention all of them due to my limitations. However, it has been a great privilege to have this thesis supervised by very competent and highly esteemed Prof. Dr Aisha Akbar to whom words cannot express adequately my heartfelt gratitude and appreciations. She provided me expert guidance and continuous support throughout all the stages of this thesis. Despite her pressing duties, she generously offered me time, skill and understanding. I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Afshan Huma Incharge, Department of EPPSL Faculty of Education AIOU for proper guidance. I am thankful to Dean/Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Education. I wish to express my gratitude to Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Ex-Dean, Faculty of Education AIOU for allowing me to undertake this research study. It gives me immense pleasure to thank to Prof. Dr Muhammad Daud Awan, Director Quality assurance, academic planning and course production AIOU, for his support during the study period. I express my deep sense of appreciation and acknowledge the untiring efforts, interest and dedication of Prof. Dr. Syed Manzoor Hussain Shah, Chairman Department vii of Education Hazara University Mansherafor his help and valuable inputs in one way or the other during various phases of the completion of this research report. I am grateful to Director Regional Services AIOU for his encouragement and help during collection of data from regional centers and regional campuses of AIOU. My thanks are also due to all Regional Directors of AIOU who helped in collection of data from their respective regions. Without their effective involvement it was difficult for the researcher to collect data from regional centers and campuses of Pakistan. I am thankful to all my colleagues, members of AIOU regional centre Abbottabad and AIOU regional campus Peshawar for their full cooperation that they extended to me whenever and wherever needed in connection with this research. I wish to record thanks to Mr. Muhammad Saleem (EPPSL) Department AIOU, Mr. ImtiazHoti, MrNaheemLodhi AIOU Abbottabad, and Javeed Hussain AIOU Peshawar, who helped me in typing, formatting and other different ways. Last but not the least ,I am greatly thankful to my wife and children(Dr. Saad, Eng.Sidra and Dr. Subha),who were always praying for my success and who facilitated me by relieving me of home engagements so that I could go about my research with complete mental concentration. Finally I am thankful to all those who assisted in any form to complete this research. Sajjad Ahmad Jilani viii ABSTRACT Title: An Analytical Study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open University and Developing a Plan of Action for Future Researcher: Sajjad Ahmad Jilani Roll No.: P859948 Advisor: Prof. Dr. Aiysha Akbar University: Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad Year: 2014 Pages 221 Subject Area Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership Degree PhD (Education) The AIOU has a large Regional Services Network of Regional Centres and Campuses all over the country. Students are getting guidance and strengthening the process of learning. In Distance Education the Regional Network is of importance, where teaching and learning is actually taking place. Regional Centers are implementing the multidisciplinary education for about one million students every year. The research aimed at An Analytical study of Regional Services Network of Allama Iqbal Open University. It also aimed developing a Plan of Action for Future in the field of Distance Education at national level. The research study was descriptive in nature for which six questionnaires were designed after the study of related literature on five point lekirt scale and for which survey was conducted through the questionnaires. The objectives of the study were, to examine the functioning of the present system ix and the role of different functionaries in the AIOU regional network, identify the problems in the implementation of the process in order to achieve the defined AIOU objectives in the regions, to determine standard and usefulness of the services being provided to students in the regions, in term of tutors, resource person ,technological aids and physical facilities already available in the regions and to propose a plan of action to meet the future needs of AIOU regional network. The population of the study comprised all Tutors and Students of M.Ed programme, all Regional Directors, all Regional Coordinators, Study Centre Coordinators and the Director Regional Services. The sample of the study comprised 150 Tutors, 350 Students, 25 Regional Directors, 80 Regional Coordinators, 150 Study Coordinators and the Director Regional Services. For this purpose six questionnaires were prepared in consultation with the supervisor and other experts in the field. The collected data was presented and tabulated in Chapter IV. Different statistical tools including percentage, Chi-square were applied for the analysis the data. Based on the analysis of data findings and conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made. Major finding of the study indicated that present system needs further strengthening of the structure. The other findings indicated lack of training, resources and man power. Technology and latest communication equipments were also common deficiencies in the region. Future studies have also been recommended by the researcher as Open Universities are important educational innovations of 21st century and developed a Model of Distance Education System in Pakistani perspective. x LIST OF CONTENTS Page Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem 6 1.2 Objectives of the Study 6 1.3 Significance of the Study 6 1.4 Research Questions 7 1.5 Delimitations of the Study 8 1.6 Methodology of the Study 9 1.6.1 Population 9 1.6.2 Sample of the Study 9 1.7 Instruments/Questionnaires 10 1.7.1 Preparation of Questionnaire 10 1.7.2 Pilot Testing 10 1.7.3 Finalization of Questionnaires 11 1.8 Collection of Data 11 1.9 Analysis and Interpretation of Data 11 1.10 Structure of the thesis 11 Acronyms 13 Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATIED LITERATURE 15 2.1 Education 16 2.2 System of Education in