Winneba (C/R), July 17, GNA- Participants at the just ended West Africa Teacher Training Consortium workshop at Winneba have identified a number of factors which militated against the promotion of the Open, Distance Learning (ODL)

They said the ODL was not considered to be mainstream education, resulting in low-level support and recognition from governments and the general public in most West African countries.

They also observed that there was little or no cooperation between ODL institutions within and among nations, and also ODL institutions were under-funded and under staffed.

The participants further observed that there was lack of capacity building training programme for personnel and course tutors for ODL institutions.

The said ODL in West African was playing a key role in bridging the gender gap by providing a lot of opportunities for women to upgrade themselves.

They however appealed to governments in the sub-region of provide the necessary assistance to Universities undertaking ODL programme.