| This paper examines and analyzes the difficulties higher educational institutions in sub-Saharan Africa are currently encountering. Increased demand for higher education and shrinking resource allocations in national budgets must compel the region to turn to cost-effective options for addressing the higher educational needs of learners, especially those who have been marginalized and continue to remain outside its purview. It is in light of this that Distance Education, which has a proven track record of being flexible and affordable, must become a viable option for converting the region's higher institutions of learning from a liability to an asset. With the use of Distance Education via the Internet, there is potential for supplementing conventional face-to-face teaching and learning that could increase access, promote equity, enhance equality, and reduce cost. Distance Education via the Internet offers learning methods that are instructionally effective and which provide flexible interactive learning experiences that are equitable and responsive to each individual's learning needs. Distance Education via the Internet could bring the region closer to its goal of providing higher education for all those who are seeking it. |
