Similarly, the lecturers had that were like their students that OUT does not provide financial support to students. They both stressed that the burden of the costs is casted upon learners. Likewise, they all declared that financial costs play a significant role in making learners become self-directed in learning. Their views are similar to those found in literature. However, none of them analyzed that the services offered by OUT such as internet, library services, efficiency in information and communication technology are among services that are intended to reduce financial costs to the students. 4.2.1.2 Learning Materials The data computed below were obtained by means of interview, observation and documentary review. However, it was also found that learning materials provided by OUT were inadequate to support all the learners. One of the student said that, actual fact, I do not see what the Open University is doing concerning “In provision of learning materials. The study materials are not enough. I take the trouble to use my money to produce copies from a few available materials” (Student, center A, 12 February 2014). Another student had this to say: study materials especially books are not enough. The Open University “The advices us to find books from our friends who take similar courses. Out of 20 courses that I have registered for, I have only 1 reference book for one course. The rest, which are unavailable I am supposed to find myself” (Student, centre B,14 February 2014).
Similarly, the lecturers had that were like their students that OUT does not provide financial support to students. They both stressed that the burden of the costs is casted upon learners. Likewise, they all declared that financial costs play a significant role in making learners become self-directed in learning. Their views are similar to those found in literature. However, none of them analyzed that the services offered by OUT such as internet, library services, efficiency in information and communication technology are among services that are intended to reduce financial costs to the students. 4.2.1.2 Learning Materials The data computed below were obtained by means of interview, observation and documentary review. However, it was also found that learning materials provided by OUT were inadequate to support all the learners. One of the student said that, “In actual fact, I do not see what the Open University is doing concerning provision of learning materials. The study materials are not enough. I take the trouble to use my money to produce copies from a few available materials” (Student, center A, 12 February 2014). Another student had this to say: “The study materials especially books are not enough. The Open University advices us to find books from our friends who take similar courses. Out of 20 courses that I have registered for, I have only 1 reference book for one course. The rest, which are unavailable I am supposed to find myself” (Student, centre B,14 February 2014).
ASSESSMENT_OF_LEARNER_SUPPORT_SYSTEM___%2D__Mavoa_Elias_Paulo__%2D_FINAL.docx