Why mainstream ODL - Activity 5

Courses MODFL
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1

This activity should take you about 15 – 20 minutes to complete.

Think of your context and the out of school children and youth who are not in employment, education or training. Identify key stakeholders who should play a part in supporting open schooling in your country and explain the role any three of them should play. Post your answer in the discussion forum.

2

The unemployed can do research to support open education.

3

What type of research do you have in mind?

4

Any other stakeholders that might help in your context, like non-governmental organisations?

5

Provide second chance learning for this kind of school children. This will help and motivate them to learning skills. Like In Solomon Islands it has been introduced and there were many dropouts enrolled into the program. It’s on distance flexible mode so everybody can experience the second chance learning. The Government working closely with the Solomon Islands National University with other donor parties collaborated into the program to succeed.

6

The idea of providing a second chance is excellent and in many developing countries, there are many children and youth who need that provision. ODFL is ideal for that and that is why we need to mainstream it in our countries.

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Activity 5
Government

Government is the main stakeholder to take the responsibility for constructing a policy and a healthy environment for open schooling to succeed. Government need to put aside funds that can help to build an open schooling the country.

Schools (including teachers)

Schools have the human resource capability to plan an open school access for the youths to access education and they have the knowledge and skills to provide them with an effective knowledge for open schooling to be attractive. They are the implementer for an effective learner support tools for whoever need education.

Communities

Communities can afford care in kind of building infrastructure, and by encouraging young people to participate in the open schooling resources. However community people with relevant skills support the actual learning process.

The private sector

The private sector supports government by providing resources needed. For example, Internet Service s can be encouraged to zero-rate data used for educational purposes.

International organizations

Like, UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank provide both financial and technical support to establish open schools. They also support the running of such schools by providing resource

8

The key stakeholders in Fiji who should play a part in supporting open schooling are:
(i) Government at all levels (National, Regional and local);
(ii) Educational Institutions (basic, post-basic and tertiary);
(iii) Regulatory bodies in Education;
(iv) Donor Agencies;
(v) Communities; and
(vi) Religious bodies;

Governments should ensure that it is key policy that all educational institutions should operate on a dual mode of both traditional and open schooling.

Donor Agencies should provided the funding gap on government budgets for education.

Regulatory bodies in Education should ensure compliance and monitoring of implementation of open schooling across board.

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Im my Country the Ministry of Education collaborate with the Australian Government and New Zealand Government in engaging young people to furthertheir studies after being finished from senior secondary schools. Also these partners play an important roles in terms of recruiting these drop out to work overseas as fruit pickers and working in age care.

10

Challenges related to open education in both urban and rural areas.

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sure the private sector can also play a huge role.

12

Key Stakeholders Supporting Open Schooling in Fiji

In Fiji, the issue of out-of-school children and NEET youth is a growing concern, particularly in rural and outer island communities. To address this through open and flexible schooling, several stakeholders must work together to support inclusive education.

Key Stakeholders:

  1. Ministry of Education
  2. Parents and Guardians
  3. Faith-Based and Community Organizations
  4. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  5. Youth Employment and Skills Training Institutions (e.g. National Youth Training Centre)
  6. Local Government/Municipal Councils
  7. Private Sector & Employers
  8. Development Partners (e.g. UNICEF, UNDP, COL)

Roles of Three Key Stakeholders:

1. Ministry of Education

  • Lead the integration of open and distance learning (ODL) into the national education system.
  • Provide curriculum materials in flexible formats (print, online, mobile).
  • Train teachers to deliver learning through alternative modes (e.g. radio, WhatsApp, community classes).
  • Ensure policies support second-chance education for early school leavers.

2. Community and Faith-Based Organizations

  • Mobilize local support for open schooling programs by identifying NEET youth and encouraging re-enrolment.
  • Provide safe learning spaces, mentorship, and social-emotional support for vulnerable learners.
  • Help bridge cultural gaps and reduce stigma around returning to school or learning differently.

3. NGOs and Youth Training Providers

  • Offer skill-based, non-formal education opportunities (e.g., carpentry, computing, tailoring) through open schooling models.
  • Partner with government to reach remote areas and disadvantaged groups using mobile units and blended learning.
  • Monitor outcomes and advocate for inclusive, lifelong learning policies.

Conclusion:

Addressing the NEET challenge in Fiji requires strong collaboration. By combining formal policy efforts, grassroots community support, and flexible training opportunities, open schooling can become a powerful tool to re-engage out-of-school youth and prepare them for meaningful futures.

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:white_check_mark: Open Schooling and NEET Youth in Fiji: Stakeholders and Their Roles

In Fiji, a significant number of children and youth remain out of school or disengaged from employment and training, especially in remote and low-income communities. Open schooling offers a flexible and inclusive approach to bring learning opportunities to these individuals. To make it work, collaboration among key stakeholders is essential.

:mag: Key Stakeholders Involved:

  • Ministry of Education
  • Families and Caregivers
  • Community and Religious Leaders
  • Youth Training Centres and Technical Colleges
  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • Private Sector Partners
  • International Development Agencies
  • Local Government Units

:jigsaw: Roles of Three Important Stakeholders:

1. Ministry of Education

  • Develops and implements open schooling policies that ensure flexible access to education for school dropouts.
  • Supports alternative learning pathways such as radio lessons, mobile learning, and printed modules.
  • Provides training for teachers and facilitators to deliver non-traditional education effectively.

2. Families and Caregivers

  • Play a critical role in motivating and supporting learners, especially girls and youth with special needs.
  • Encourage a home environment that values education and lifelong learning.
  • Help monitor progress and attendance, especially in community-based or home learning formats.

3. Youth Training Centres (e.g., National Youth Training Centre)

  • Provide practical, hands-on education in trades and life skills that directly lead to employment.
  • Work in partnership with open schooling programmes to offer blended learning models.
  • Serve as re-entry points into formal education or training for NEET youth.

:white_check_mark: Final Reflection:

Open schooling is not just about academic content—it’s about providing second chances and bridging gaps. With the right support from education authorities, families, and training centres, young people in Fiji who have been left behind can reconnect with learning and build brighter futures.