Factors influencing completion of bachelor of education Distance learners at Kenya Methodists University: A case of Nyeri municipality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess factors influencing completion of Bachelor of Education distance learners at Kenya Methodists University in Nyeri Municipality. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the extent to which access to learning resources has influenced completion of Bachelor of Education learners in Nyeri Municipality, to determine the extent to which roles of adulthood has influenced completion of Bachelor of Education distance students in Nyeri Municipality, , to establish the extent to which cost of education has influenced Bachelor of Education distance learners in Nyeri Municipality and to establish the extent to which learners support services has influenced completion of Bachelor of Education distance learners in Nyeri Municipality. This study was conducted using descriptive survey research method. The target population for this study comprised Bachelor of Education students distance learners at KEMU. The study found out that most of the students were faced with challenges to do with lack of access to reading materials, their duties as adults which are quite demanding, the cost of education which in most cases comes from internet accessibility and lack of adequate learners support services. The study recommends that, the university should train and employ more distance learner instructors or lectures who have specialized in the area of distance learning as they understand the learners’ characteristics. Departments to put measures to curb the problem of delayed feedback from the respective course lecturers. ICT lessons to be given adequate time during tutorials to equip the learners with the necessary technological skills needed in distance learning programs. Government to implement a lending financial policy which is learner friendly to distance learners who are self sponsored. The department to explore more options mostly in technology for delivering instructional materials to learners to avoid delay and prepare instructional materials well in advance and issue the same during registration of courses.