This research studies and documents the barriers to remote rural students' access of distance
education support services offered by the centre for external studies at the University of Namibia
The intent of the researcher is to investigate the question: What barriers do remote rural students
face when accessing student support services offered by the CES-UNAM? The purpose of the
study is to promote the growth of open and distance learning in the area of student support for
students in the remote areas of Caprivi and Kavango regions in Namibia. The aim of the
research is to provide evidence that open and distance learning students in remote rural areas
face academic, administrative and logistics, personal and natural disasters as barriers as they
study through the Centre for External Studies, University of Namibia.
Six students were interviewed and studied over a period of two months. The students were
followed to their places where interviews were held. Several written documents from students
registering their grievances with CES-UNAM were requested from the office of the Director and
were reviewed and analysed. The results thereof were recorded in thick verbatim as students
personally engaged themselves in narrating the barriers that they face each day during their study
periods. The results showed that Open and Distance Learning institutions in the world should
practise and enhance sound academic, administration and logistics management systems to help
students in remote rural areas.
CES-UNAM has a challenge to ensure that students in remote rural areas are adequately
supported. The researcher recommends that studies in the area of student support in should focus
on their transactional, interactional and social contexts in order to enhance their opportunities to
continue with their studies.