Capacity Building through Open and Distance Learning, A Response to Society Needs: A Case Study of Kwame Nkrumah University in Kabwe, Zambia

Abstract

Abstract: The working class who need to further their education, upgrade their qualifications in order to acquire knew knowledge which can improve their lives and benefit their communities are detered from advancing in their studies as they cannot leave their work unattended to. Every worker has the right to acquire knew knowledge in order to respond better to the needs of a given society. Education as an equalizer is a process of teaching, training and improving one’s taste is needed by almost every worker but sometimes circumstances cannot allow for each and every worker to go for full-time training because of space, time and other commitments. For instance a serving teacher or a working class person who need to upgrade or further his or her studies on a full-time basis, cannot leave her or his work unattended to due to the nature of their positions or staffing levels. In some situations affected workers are told to choose between their job and studies. In other cases, a worker can even be asked to resign if he or she has to go for further studies.This scenario impedes capacity building at all levels of human endeavour  For this reason, capacity building for the working class through open and distance learning is of great importance. Therefore, this paper looks at how capacity building for the working class through open and distance learning can be a response to the needs of society. The study also used a face to face interviews to specific beneficiaries of the link between Kwame Nkrumah University and the industry.