Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Distance Education on Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria

Authors

  • Chinwe Patience Ihuoma National Open University of Nigeria
  • Raymond Nwandu Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State

Keywords:

Distance Education, Sustainable Economic Growth

Abstract

This study critically examines the effect of distance education on sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey research design of Primary data collected from the randomly selected sample from the target population. Three research questions and three hypotheses were developed to guide the study. An instrument tagged: Distance Education for Sustainable Economic Growth Questionnaire (DESEGQ), designed by the researchers was used to collect data from the respondents. From the results, it was concluded that in Nigeria, Distance Education influences sustainable economic growth and development (mean= 3.00-3.50, SD= 0.50-80, contributes to poverty alleviation (mean= 3.00-3.80, SD= 0.50-76) and that there is a positive relationship between access to distance education and unemployment rate in Nigeria r (288) = 0.236, p<0.018. Based on the findings and conclusions, some recommendations were made to the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to actively transform DE programmes to address both the internal and external challenges that Nigerians encounter in accessing education.

Résumé

Cette étude examine de manière critique l'effet de l'enseignement à distance sur la croissance économique durable et le développement au Nigeria. L'étude a recours à une méthode de recherche descriptive par enquête, les données primaires étant recueillies auprès d'un échantillon sélectionné au hasard dans la population cible. Trois questions de recherche et trois hypothèses ont été développées pour guider l'étude. Un instrument intitulé : Questionnaire sur la formation à distance pour une croissance économique durable (DESEGQ), conçu par les chercheurs, a été utilisé pour collecter les données auprès des personnes interrogées. Les résultats ont permis de conclure qu'au Nigeria, l'enseignement à distance influence la croissance et le développement économiques durables (moyenne = 3,00-3,50, écart-type = 0,50-80), contribue à la réduction de la pauvreté (moyenne = 3,00-3,80, écart-type = 0,50-76) et qu'il existe une relation positive entre l'accès à l'enseignement à distance et le taux de chômage au Nigeria r (288) = 0,236, p<0,018. Sur la base des résultats et des conclusions, certaines recommandations ont été proposées au gouvernement nigérian et à d'autres parties prenantes pour transformer activement les programmes d'ED afin de relever les défis internes et externes que les Nigérians rencontrent dans l'accès à l'éducation.

Mots-clés: Enseignement à distance et croissance économique durable

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Published

2021-07-12

How to Cite

Ihuoma, C. P. ., & Nwandu, R. (2021). Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Distance Education on Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria. West African Journal of Open and Flexible Learning, 10(1), 57–78. Retrieved from https://wajofel.org/index.php/wajofel/article/view/84

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Section

Research Articles