**10. Infrastructure position for ODL at Makerere University**

The 10 academic and 35 administrative/support staff running the DODL, which is supposed to manage and support 6,350 distance learners are housed in Nsubuga Block shown in *Figure 3* below. Nsubuga Block is one of the antiquities of Makerere University as it was one of the first halls of residence for Makerere University built in 1922.

Fig. 3. The Rear View of Nsubuga Block.

As alluded to earlier, the teaching staff for the majority of courses on the ODL programmes is drawn from Collaborating Units. The DODL, which is supposed to manage and support 6,350 distance learners has only 10 fulltime academic staff on the ground. In addition to teaching, the 10 academic staff perform various administrative functions. During examination time, staff are assigned special responsibilities to ensure that examinations are run smoothly. The staff ensure that only fully registered students, with all requirements for sitting an exam, are let into the examinations venue. In so doing revenue loss is averted.

The Department has a staff responsible for coordinating all tutoring activities in the Department. The B.Cox programme has three coordinators. The B.Ed programme has one overall coordinator and three year coordinators. The BSc. programme has one coordinator. There is a staff responsible for coordinating ICT and e-learning services. One staff is responsible for coordinating materials production. Due to the large number of students, the academic staff coordinating various activities in the Department are assisted by a number of administrative

The 10 academic and 35 administrative/support staff running the DODL, which is supposed to manage and support 6,350 distance learners are housed in Nsubuga Block shown in *Figure 3* below. Nsubuga Block is one of the antiquities of Makerere University as it was one

and support staff. There are 35 administrative and support staff in the Department.

**10. Infrastructure position for ODL at Makerere University** 

of the first halls of residence for Makerere University built in 1922.

Fig. 3. The Rear View of Nsubuga Block.

**9. Staffing position for ODL at Makerere University** 

Since Nsubuga Block was originally meant to be a hall of residence, it is not suitable for the industrial like activities of ODL. Besides, Nsubuga Block is in dire need for renovation. Other than office space, Nsubuga Block does not have any lecture space to use during faceto-face sessions and examination time. The Department does not own any lecture space for tutorial/group discussion at the main campus or in regional study centers. Over the years, lectures, tutorials, group discussions, tests and examinations have been conducted in space hired from dining halls at Makerere University, lecture halls of other colleges and nearby secondary schools at very exorbitant rates (USD 25 per room per day and USD 40 for a hall per day). Regional centers are housed in rented premises. This has had a negative impact on the Department's budget. One would argue for the case of having face-to-face lectures, tests and examinations in lecture halls at the main campus, but during times when internal students are in session, this has proved to be impossible. The Department is looking for donors to help it get out of this infrastructure quagmire.
