Influence of Virtual and Open Learning on Private Demand for Education: A Case of Kenyatta University, Kenya

Virtual and Open Education has recently become a recognized field of education across the globe as the mode of education which helps large number of students to access quality educational opportunities. The purpose of was study to establish the influence of virtual and open learning to private demand for education: The objectives of the project included the following; to determine the current status of enrollment of open and distance learning in Kenyatta University; extent to which Virtual and open learning influence enrollment; challenges facing Virtual and open learning in Kenyan universities. The study was guided by Industrial production model of Otto Peters (1994). The research utilized Descriptive survey method as the main study. The target subject under study consisted of 400 virtual and open students from Kenyatta University. Through random sampling technique and proportional two hundreds (200) open and distant learners from Kenyatta University were identified. The study used purposive sampling to choose three Digital School co-coordinators. The process of data collection involved administering questionnaires and scheduling interviews with the selected individuals. The study relied on both qualitative and quantitative data. When analyzing quantitative the research used descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 17).Qualitative data was analyzed by establishing the categories and themes, relationships/patterns and conclusions in line with the study objectives. Results indicated that virtual and open learning influence enrollment at Kenya Universities, where about 6248 virtual and open students have enrolled to the program. Various challenges touching on inadequate funding, network problem, delayed feedback and low teaching staff levels were identified. The study also established that the institutions offering virtual and open learning  in Kenya are governed by their own institutional policies .It is articulated that the findings of this study and the recommendations therefore suggested would aid the government and universities in Kenya to achieve their goal of providing quality virtual and open education at affordable cost. It would benefit in policy on guiding on financial provision for virtual and open learning programmes, creating national Open university as well as the articulation of nationwide policies for virtual and open education and efficient use of virtual and open learning  resources in providing student support services.