Open and Distance Learning as a Way of Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Tanzania
Abstract
Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on how the community is filled with knowledge and skills that will help them to fasten the development process. In this paper, the contribution of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a way of achieving SDGs in Tanzania has been presented. The paper has focused on five SDGs, namely, No Poverty, Good Health and Wellbeing, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth and Gender Equality. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, whereby purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample of 85 respondents. Both primary and secondary data were collected through interviews, questionnaires and literature review. Descriptive analysis was done through SPSS and Microsoft Excel for quantitative data and content analysis was done for qualitative data. The results revealed that 91% of the respondents agreed that, ODL is the right way of achieving SDGs in Tanzania. On the other side, the finding shows that if ODL is improved and executed well, many people will be reached and get knowledge and skills that will help them and the government to achieve the SDGs on time. The paper concluded that, in order to unlock sustainable education and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Tanzania, ODL should be part and parcel of this movement
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