Development of Distance Learning Materials 

The development of effective self-instructional learning materials is a key element in distance education programmes. Developing materials for technical and vocational subjects is particularly challenging because of the need to integrate theoretical knowledge, appropriate attitudes and practical skills. In Skills Development at COL, we are working with partner organisations to support the development of distance learning materials that really work;

• the African Medical Research and Education Foundation (AMREF) in Kenya
• the technical teacher training colleges in Zambia (TVTC) and Kenya (KTTC)

AMREF

Kenya like many other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa is facing two key human resources for health challenges: low staffing levels and lack of staff training opportunities including continuing professional education (CPD). According to the Kenya Ministry of Health, there are nearly 60,000 health care workers of whom only 5500 (9%) are medical doctors. These health workers serve a total population of 31.6 million. This means that the majority of the population is served by middle level allied health care providers most of whom work in remote areas with poor communication infrastructure. They are expected to perform a wide range of responsibilities and tasks for which they were not adequately prepared during basic training. They also lack access to information, health learning materials and often have no one to consult.

While the Government recognizes the need to upgrade the competences of health workers, the large number of personnel requiring these trainings makes it difficult, even impossible to achieve this through conventional training of classroom teaching. Thus the government now supports the use of open and distance education. The Kenya Ministry of Health has passed a policy which does not release in-service health workers for degree programmes.

AMREF has demonstrated that through distance education, health service delivery is improved. With support from COL, AMREF has assisted the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) to design and implement a certificate to diploma nurse upgrading programme through distance learning. The programme, which uses both print and elearning, has proven highly successful and very popular. Of the 14,000 nurses who qualified between 2004 and 2010, 7,000 were upgraded through the DE programme.

COL is continuing to support AMREF and the NCK to work with 10 universities in Kenya to develop a distance degree programme to provide access to higher education qualifications for the nursing profession. NCK plans to upgrade 16,000 Registered nurses to BScN by 2030.