The Role of Distance Learning in Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania

The use of distance learning (DL) for teacher professional development is not a new phenomenon. It has been experienced by various countries like India, Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Tanzania launched DL in the early 1970’s when the UPE policy enabled teachers to be recruited through this programme. In addition to that the Open University of Tanzania which was established in 1992 has played a great role for development of teachers’ professionalism through DL. The purpose of this study was to examine the role played by distance learning as a strategy for teacher’s professional development. The attempt was on student teachers who take their studies at different levels including upgrading, certificate, Diploma and Degrees by using DL in Kibaha and Mkuranga Districts in the Coast Region. The study was conducted by using a sample of 120 respondents from Kibaha and Mkuranga districts through questionnaires and interview. It intended to answer three questions that are the set goal of DL for Teachers’ Professional Development (TPD), the modes of instructional delivery in DL and teacher’s interest on DL as the modes for teacher’s DPD. Findings revealed that the set goal for DL for TPD seemed to be relevant to the students. Also the mode of DL was traditional method conducted in modules basis. Lastly teacher’s interest on DL as a model for TPD seemed to be preferable as the means of developing teacher’s skills and competence on performing their duties efficiently as it links theory and practice. This study recommends the integration between theory and practice, introduction of ICT in the programme under DL, improvement of teachers resource centres, collaboration between OUT and teachers resources centre encouragement of pre-service generation to join DL programme