Students enrolled in Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) programmes at Mzuzu University have challenged the widespread perception that ODeL students are separate from those in the face-to-face learning mode, insisting that they both face the same academic pressures and financial struggles.
Speaking in an interview, Mzuzu University Students Representative Council (MUSREC) Chairperson Vitumbiko Mzumara said many people still misunderstand who ODeL students are.
“Many people in the world think that ODeL students are only those people who are working and are doing other things,” said Mzumara, who is also an ODeL student.
He said the situation has changed over the years, with many students now joining ODeL programmes immediately after completing secondary school.
“Nowadays, there are some ODeL students who are just coming from secondary schools, and they do face a lot of challenges,” he said.
Mzumara said financial difficulties have forced some students placed in ODeL programmes by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to fail to continue with their studies.
He described the government’s decision to extend the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants scheme to ODeL students as a major relief for struggling learners.
“Now, the coming in of this loan will go a long way such that these students will be sustained, and it will help them achieve their goals,” he said.
Mzumara stressed that ODeL students should not be treated as outsiders simply because they use a different mode of learning.
“Being an ODeL student does not mean that you are outside the system. You are inside the system. The difference is just the mode of how we do our programmes,” he said.
He added that the SRC has for years received complaints from needy ODeL students who struggled to finance their education.
“As student representatives, we have been receiving a lot of complaints from needy students saying they need help,” he said.
Mzumara also defended the quality of education offered under the ODeL programme, saying students receive strong academic support through blended learning that combines physical orientation and online learning platforms.
Despite challenges such as poor internet connectivity, he said the university continues working towards improving the learning experience for ODeL students and ensuring they are given equal opportunities to succeed academically.
