Togo embarks on formalisation of ODL for in-service teacher training.
#Togo’s Ministry of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (MPSTE) recently organised a workshop on developing a national policy for open and distance learning #ODL and a strategic implementation plan for the continuous professional development of teachers.
This workshop was supported by the #COL4D to assist MPSTE in achieving the country’s objectives regarding teacher training as part of the implementation of the Government Roadmap 2020-2025 adopted in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of improving access, quality, efficiency and equity in education.
Officials from the central directorates of MPSTE and heads of teacher training institutions attended. Professor Sena Yawo AKAKPO-NUMADO, Permanent Technical Secretary of the Sectoral Education Plan, expressed satisfaction with COL’s support in helping with effectively integrating ODL and technology-enabled learning in increasing the number of qualified teachers in Togo.
The Secretary stated, “This workshop constitutes a crucial step in the development of a coherent and effective policy that will enable Togolese teachers to benefit from best practices in distance education. It is essential that this policy be inclusive, taking into account the specific needs of primary, secondary, technical, and vocational education teachers. It must also be aligned with national education objectives and contribute to enhancing teachers’ skills to meet current and future education challenges in Togo.”
Dr Evode Mukama, COL Adviser: Teacher Education, emphasised the potential of ODL in creating increased, equitable and inclusive access to quality learning opportunities, especially for women, girls, and persons with disabilities. He also participated in a national radio/television broadcast in Togo to help raise awareness of the benefits of ODL.
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Strengthening Education Ties: #COL4D President and Sri Lankan Minister Discuss Quality Assurance, Digitalisation, and AI In Education. On 16 Apr 2024, Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO of COL, welcomed the Honourable Dr Susil Premajayantha, MP, Minister of Education, #SriLanka and a member of COL's Board of Governors. Accompanying the Minister was Professor Gunapala Nanayakkara, Advisor to the Minister of Education in Sri Lanka. During their visit, the guests engaged in discussions centred around critical topics such as quality assurance in education, the digitalisation of education systems, and the evolving role of teachers in the age of AI. This meeting underscores the keenness of COL and Sri Lanka to explore collaboration on advancing educational standards and leveraging technology for enhanced learning experiences. #education #digitallearning #SriLanka #qualityassurance #AIinEducation
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Advancing open schooling partnership with PNG.
The Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) division within the Ministry of Education, Papua New Guinea, provides open schooling. It has seen exponential enrolment growth in recent years and currently serves some 80,000 learners through a print-based and contact-supported model. Given the increasing cost and complex logistics of printing, storing and distributing printed materials, FODE approached #COL4D for advice about migrating to online provision.
COL’s support in FODE’s migration journey has been offered in three phases. The first two phases were conducted entirely online due to pandemic restrictions, while the third phase included some in-person interaction. The first output was the review and finalisation of FODE’s migration to online provision strategy. COL sponsored a Moodle instance and trained teachers to develop Grade 11 subject content on the #Moodle platform.
During the second phase, FODE migrated to its own Moodle platform, piloted the Grade 11 content and made revisions. The current phase involves the development of Grade 12 subject content ahead of a pilot in the second half of 2024. Dr Janet Subagan-Mondez, Deputy Principal-Curriculum, observed, “Our team is making commendable progress in developing Grade 12 draft materials. We are on track to complete this crucial phase by the end of this quarter. Following this, we will conduct a pilot to allow for necessary revisions before the formal launch.”
Dr Tony Mays, Director: Education at COL, recently met with FODE officials in early March 2024 to discuss progress to date and identify the support needed to complete preparations for the launch of the country’s first online open schooling opportunities planned for the start of the new school year in 2025.
Recognising the importance of learner support in the transition, COL organised a comprehensive orientation session designed to help FODE identify the necessary changes in their learner support strategy as they progressively shift from a print-based and contact-supported model to a blended learning and fully online provision.
Dr Mays facilitator for this session, commented, “As with most open schools, the bulk of the work that needs to be done in terms of content development, facilitation and assessment is done by teachers who were trained for in-person classroom-based provision. The transition to effective open and distance learning (ODL) provision, and online ODL in particular, requires careful orientation and continuing professional development for all staff – centralised and decentralised, full and part-time, academic and administrative, management and support services –and for all sub-systems to work together.”
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