| Abstract: | Open and Distance Learning has a potential to bring higher education within the reach of
those who, for whatever reason, have not had access to it and to enable those who are not in
the position to receive higher education in any other form. There are many legal frameworks
including the FDRE Constitution, which recognizes the right to education as a human right.
In Ethiopian, unlike other disciplines, except some, law schools do not have distance learning
programs. Actually, law education is prohibited in PHEIs not only for distance program but
also in both conventional and distance modes, in the country due to quality compromising
concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate distance learning vis-à-vis the right to
law education in other jurisdictions with especial emphasis on exploring best practices and
lessons for Ethiopia. The research employed a comparative study approach. The main data
collection techniques were secondary analysis of national data, relevant documents analysis
(both legal and policy documents) and literature reviews. The findings of the study revealed
that establishing Open Universities with the primary objective of ensuring access to education
through distance learning, collaborative practice of course and teaching materials
development by inviting academics from other universities in distance learning, effective and
continuous monitoring system, establishing internal quality assurance and external quality
auditing committees in distance learning programs, and strong cooperation and coordination
among stakeholders of education sectors are some of the identified best practices of law
schools in other jurisdictions. Therefore, it is suggested that in order to meet the increasing
demand of law graduates in the 21st century, firstly, the country should establish Open
Universities only for distance learning programs; secondly, public higher education
institutions’ law schools must be accredited to begin distance learning; and thirdly, legalizing
qualified private higher education institutions to resume distance learning programs in law
through serious quality assurance standards designed and effectively implemented. |
