A Study on Distance Education in Rural China

Based on the Actual State of Current Learners and Learning at the “Television and Radio University (Dendai)”

Abstract

　 The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in the actual conditions for learning between five learning centers in rural China. In particular, the effect of learning resources and environment on the degree of learner satisfaction was analyzed. To understand the situation of Television and Radio University (Dendai), an analysis was done of the survey conducted from October, 2000 to November, 2001.

　 The study results indicated that learning resources are much more scarce in the learning centers in rural areas than they are in urban areas. Results also indicate wide discrepancies between each of the learning centers in the farming villages, and pointed to problems with the educational system’s management as a possible cause.

　 The introduction of new policies has brought about the quantitative expansion of the student class, but has not been effective in lessening the inequalities between the urban and rural areas. In terms of the state of learning, we can see very little change in the diversity of students.

　 Considering the scarcity of higher education opportunities, there remain high expectations for the learning centers. Recommendations are also made for policy reforms to improve the state of educational support in rural agricultural China.