Policy for Open and Distance Learning






…A Picture of Success





















Ministry of Education
Republic of Vanuatu
March 16, 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this memorandum is to set out the general policies of the Ministry of
Education as they relate to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) within the Republic of
Vanuatu.1

Vision

Open and Distance Learning will provide opportunity for ni-Vanuatu people to better prepare
themselves for entry and re-entry into the structured education system or continue life-long
learning at their own place and time.

Rationale

The Ministry of Education (MoE) clearly states that distance learning will be a primary strategy
for increasing access to formal and non-formal education opportunities in Vanuatu. The MoE
Education Master Plan (1998), Education for All (EFA) Action Plan for Vanuatu (2004), and
the MoE Corporate Plan 2004 to 2006, support and mandate a distance learning policy and
strategy for new learners, “second chance” learning for school leavers, and continuing
education to support life-long learning. Furthermore, the Ministry recognizes distance
education as an effective means of equitable access to education for those who are
geographically or physically disadvantaged and those adults who wish to pursue education to
improve their lives. Therefore, given current policy directives, the MoE will setup a programme
and system to deliver ODL throughout Vanuatu.

The ODL policy initiative is an opportunity for ni-Vanuatu to engage in a conversation on
issues concerning learning and education. The MoE wishes this conversation to illuminate the
needs of education throughout the country so it can better respond to provide relevant and
realistic opportunities for ni-Vanuatu.

Challenges

Many challenges will face planners as the ODL Policy is implemented in Vanuatu and these
should be brought to bear as foci of dialog and discourse in conversations concerning ODL,
its development, management, and resourcing. Some of these challenges are:

Ministry-wide acceptance of ODL as a legitimate mode of learning.
Awareness-raising such that the vision of the MoE translates into valued practices at the
local level.
Sustaining an active willingness of the local community to engage and participate in local
ODL efforts.
Identifying an appropriate and cost effective ICT system to best meet the needs of Vanuatu.
Sustaining a donor-funded project beyond the term of the assistance.
Engaging the local community to participate in the ODL initiative.
Developing incentive schemes for participants and stakeholders to take ownership of the
system.
Provide trained human resources to support capacity development locally, provincially, and
nationally.
Establishing workable and responsive technical assistance mechanism to ensure ODL
system is nurtured and remains operational.

1 See Annex 1: Definitions

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Policy

Goal 1:
Provide for new, continual, and “second chance” learning opportunities
for formal and non-formal education through an ODL system.

Objective 1.1: Develop effective support and monitoring system coordinated by the MoE.

1.1.1.
The MoE will establish an ODL Unit to coordinate and manage ODL
programmes in Vanuatu.

1.1.2.
The MoE will develop and assist the implementation of an ODL plan and
system.

1.1.3.
The MoE will work closely with the National Education Council (NEC) and
the Vanuatu National Training Council (VNTC) to accredit ODL course
offerings or programmes when appropriate.

1.1.4.
The MoE will identify ODL priorities and plan pilot programmes based on
these priorities, with the intention of scaling the developed system to all
provinces of the country. All interventions will include human resource
development, a monitoring and evaluation plan and a sustainability plan.

1.1.5.
The MoE will integrate ODL into the formal education system as the ODL
infrastructure and institutional capacity evolve.

1.1.6.
On its part the MoE, lead by the ODL Unit, will continue to seek additional
funding and in-kind donations from foreign agencies and donors apart
from the normal government budget.

1.1.7.
Existing teachers in schools will be used after normal school hours, and
existing school facilities, Rural Training Centres, Youth Drop-in Centres
and other existing facilities may be used as ODL centres after
consultation with appropriate authorities.

1.1.8.
Parents, who value ODL for their children, and adults, will be charged
fees which in turn shall be used to meet related costs. Whenever
possible, ODL opportunities will be supported by external funding to
defray costs of users.


Objective 1.2: Engage in meaningful stakeholder partnerships and collaboration to support
the vision and goals of the policy.

1.2.1.
The MoE will work closely with current and future providers of formal and
non-formal education opportunities to ensure harmony among all
education stakeholders on activities as they relate to ODL.

1.2.2.
The MoE will collaborate with other ministries, agencies, institutions,
organizations, community members, and other stakeholders in order to
more efficiently coordinate, resource and implement the ODL plan.

1.2.3.
The ODL Unit will have an overarching responsibility of coordinating MoE
departments and liaising with other ministries and stakeholders to
carryout the provisions of the ODL policy.

1.2.4.
The Ministry of Youth Development and Training (MYDT) will designate
an ODL Officer to engage with the MoE in ODL administrative and
programmatic activities.


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1.2.5.
A Nation ODL Steering Committee will be established through the ODL
Unit that consists of relevant ODL stakeholders for the purpose of
identifying, prioritizing, and administering ODL initiatives.

1.2.6. Each
provincial
education office will assign ODL duties to existing staff,
or designate a new Provincial ODL Officer when appropriate, to direct
and coordinate all provincial and local activities related to ODL. This
officer will work closely with the Provincial Education Officer and the
Provincial Education Board to articulate and promote ODL programmes.

1.2.7.
As technical facilities are installed, the Provincial ODL Officer will
collaborate with the MoE and liaise with other stakeholders to identify
and appoint a local ODL steering committee that will undertake the
responsibility of administering all ODL activities associated with the ODL
facility.

1.2.8.
The MoE will work with existing ODL providers, such as USP, other
regional tertiary institutions and international programmes to provide
accredited foundation, regular education, and “second chance” course
offerings for students wishing to advance their knowledge and skills, or
re-enter the structured education system. The MoE will work closely with
the National Education Commission and the Vanuatu National Training
Council on issues of accreditation.

1.2.9.
The MoE will actively pursue public and private partnerships with the
intent to leverage support for ongoing strategies and operations of the
ODL system.

1.2.10.

Local ODL Steering Committees will assist in developing funding
strategies, and the policy will allow for approaching donors and funding
agencies independently to help sustain local ODL facilities and human
resources.


Objective 1.3: Develop a phased-in system of electronic communication in all provinces of
the archipelago to support ODL.

1.3.1.
The MoE will seek, and if appropriate, apply regional and global best
practices for electronic communications as they relate to ODL to ensure
lessons learnt underpin strategies for implementation.

1.3.2.
The MoE will investigate and trial an EMIS data collection mechanism
supported by the ODL system.



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Goal 2: Develop and implement ODL programmes based on the needs of the local
community.


Objective 2.1: Raise awareness among ni-Vanuatu concerning ODL and its opportunities.

2.1.1.
The MoE will facilitate awareness and training within the ministry and
among school teachers and staff as they relate to ODL.

2.1.2.
The MoE ODL Unit will be primarily concerned with developing ODL
strategies, plans, and programmes to support non-formal education
opportunities for community-based needs in Vanuatu. The ODL Unit will
liaise with the MYDT and other organizations and agencies to ensure
synergies among programmes and optimization of resources.

2.1.3.
A bottom-up approach to ODL training, curriculum, and local capacity
development will serve to meet the needs of the local context.


Objective 2.2: Ensure language use is in harmony with local needs.

2.2.1.
The ODL system will be structured to have language flexibility, providing
opportunities for all citizens of Vanuatu regardless of their spoken or
literate language.

2.2.2.
Language of delivery, whether spoken or written, will be chosen by the
local community. The ODL system will make every effort to
accommodate language needs, anticipating a multi-lingual development
of resources, materials and procedures.


Objective 2.3: Identify regional and global best practices for creating greater information
access in remote communities.

2.3.1.
The MoE will seek, and if appropriate, apply regional and global best
practices for ODL in remote communities to ensure lessons learnt
underpin strategies for implementation.

2.3.2.
The MoE will enter and cooperate with any regional and international
initiatives supporting free and open learning content that may have
relevance to the local needs of Vanuatu.


Objective 2.4: Ensure gender and special-needs equity in the ODL system.

2.4.1.
The ODL system will be structured to have gender and special-needs
equity, providing opportunities for all citizens of Vanuatu regardless of
their gender or physical disabilities.


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Strategies

Strategy 1:
An essential component of the ODL system will be a grassroots awareness-
raising campaign to help educate local populations on the community value
and learning opportunities facilitated through an ODL network.

Strategy 2:
Community and parents will play the most significant role to ensure use of
ODL provisions for learning of their children, and of adults themselves.
Therefore, adults in the community will be a primary target of awareness-
raising.

Strategy 3:
The local ODL community will work closely with the MoE and Provincial ODL
Officer to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will
determine the mandate associated with the structure and administration of the
local ODL facility.

Strategy 4:
In order to optimize resources and build awareness at the MoE, the ODL Unit
will investigate similar regional ODL projects and systems that have a close
relevance to the geographic and demographic situation in Vanuatu.

Strategy 5:
The MoE views ODL as a dynamic approach to supporting local efforts to
identify needs to improve their livelihoods. To facilitate identifying local needs
and establishing a plan to meet those needs, the MoE envisions locally based
ODL steering committees as the primary decision making body for ODL in
their area. The local steering committee will comprise appropriate community
leaders and stakeholders identified through consensus in the community.

Strategy 6:
Volunteers will be a primary human resource for supporting ODL locally.
Retired citizens, such as teachers, doctors, government workers, and others
will be targeted as important human resource components for supporting local
efforts. Aid and donor volunteer organizations, such as Peace Corps, are
important human resources for tasks such as awareness raising, training,
capacity development, language harmonization and on-the ground
coordination, and their participation will be sought.

Strategy 7:
All ODL initiatives will include a data gathering component to help the MoE
monitor and evaluate programmes for a more responsive system as needs
change. Every effort will be made to integrate impact assessment frameworks
to ensure that current offerings are meeting the needs locally.

Strategy 8:
The MoE will actively engage in regional partnerships with other Pacific MoEs
and institutions for sharing of best practices, educational resources, and
promote human resource exchanges to help create a regional network of
ODL stakeholders.

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Responsibility

Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth Development and Training

A range of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth Development and Training (MYDT)
activities supports the ODL Policy. The two ministries will work together under coordination of
the MoE ODL officer to identify and coordinate tasks through the Office of the Director
General. The MoE will assign, according to its priorities and plans, personnel and resources
to conduct the following:

Review and monitor ODL policies and programmes.
Develop ODL strategic plan, project proposal and costings.
Promote ODL as a means of life-long learning.
Liaise with local communities to best provide for language and other socio-cultural
considerations.
Continued development and implementation of educational broadcasting strategic plans
and policies.
Delivery and development of educational programmes through an ODL framework and
network.
Set up a process to evaluate impact and review ODL programmes and activities.
Coordinate and liaise with other sub-sectors of the MoE regarding educational programmes
and their delivery to children, youth, and adults.
Prepare project proposals to seek donor assistance in the development of an ODL system.
Develop a phase-in sustainability plan to mitigate financial and human resource challenges
as donor funds expire.
Assist in the development of provincial and school support services to students.
Maintain and develop links with and between local and international ODL institutions and
agencies.
Assist community in capacity building for training.
Ensure membership of Vanuatu in International ODL agencies and organizations.
Conduct, coordinate and compile research and studies of ODL
Establish and sustain an accessible resource centre for ODL in Vanuatu.
Take the lead in raising awareness ODL among other government ministries, agencies, and
stakeholders.
Advise and assist students on courses and programmes available through ODL from basic,
secondary, post-secondary, tertiary institutions.
Provide teachers, other staff and community people with training and professional
development.
Work towards accessibility of satellite to achieve better delivery of ODL.
Provide advice to other ODL providers as to the type of system, computers, software, and
programmes to be used.
Develop an incentives scheme to help build capacity both internal and external to the MoE.

Community

Appoint a steering committee to over see issues related to ODL and empower the
community to participate and take ownership of local ODL opportunities in their community
Develop local vision and strategic plan for ODL in their community.
Identify preferred language of local ODL operation.
Identify important stakeholders and key persons motivated to participant in the ODL
initiative.
Work with the MoE to identify and recruit appropriate volunteers to support the ODL system.
Develop a local incentives scheme to garner interest and participation in the ODL system.

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Annex 1: Definitions

Distance Learning

Education that is provided through means of communication and other sources to ensure
learning is equitably available for access by all members of the society.

Open Learning

A learning mode where people of all ages and gender are given the opportunity to learn at
their own place and time.

Second Chance

A second opportunity given to those pupils who for various reasons could not continue after
Year 8 through Year 14. It is intended to keep young people in school until they are over 18
years old.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Any technology that facilitates electronic transmission of information including telephone,
mobile phone, radio, audio tape, television, video tape, digital video disk (DVD), CD-ROM,
computer, the Internet, or other related media that transmits information.


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