A Facilitator of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos, Dr. Gbenga Eretan has identiied the role of Total Quality Management (TQM) application in Open, Distance and e-Learning in Nigeria. According to him, TQM which is usually applicable to manufacturing and telecommunications can also be applicable to open and distance learning.
Delivering a paper titled “Application of Total Quality Management & its Effect on Learners’ Performance in Open Distance & E-Learning in Nigeria”, at the April edition of the DLI Monthly Seminar Series held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Dr. Eretan explained the applicability of TQM to open and distance learning.
He stated that the objectives of the paper included finding out the relationship between quality of virtual teaching and learners’ attrition as well as adequate response to learners’ complaints and academic performance.
Dr. Eretan, who provided background information on the history of Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria, and the world; literature review and research methodology, disclosed that his research findings revealed that quality of virtual teaching has a positive effect on the rate of learners’ attrition.
He also pointed out his discovery that adequate response to learners’ complaints immensely affects improvement in learners’ academic performance, and that TQM enhances performance of higher education.
In the course of delivery of his paper, which attracted questions and comments from members of the Institute, Dr. Eretan made the following recommendations:
⦁ institutions should improve and introduce mechanism to rate quality of their virtual teaching to mitigate attrition rate;
⦁ adequate response to learners’ complaints should be paramount in all institutions so as to enhance the learner’s academic performance]as a competitive advantage among other universities;
⦁ all critical stakeholders including captains of industries and other critical friends of the university should be consulted when formulating strategic plans; and
⦁ institutions should invest more in facilities that will enhance virtual learning and resolve complaints promptly.
