Open and Distance Education in Indonesia

As in many other countries in the world, distance education has also been developed in Indonesia. The reasons for using distance education is also similar to those of other countries, that is, to overcome educational problems that cannot be solved by conventional education system, such as social, economic, geographic problems, and problems in relation to expansion of access of education to all people in the country.

Distance education is also suitable to provide flexible education to those who cannot go to regular school system because they have to work during the school time. In addition, distance education system also provides a chance to adult people who couldn’t continue their education when they were still young.

Indonesia is an archipelago of thousands of islands, populous, and is still in the status of a developing country. Many places in the islands are still undeveloped; surrounded by forests, swamps, mountains, and water; deprived of transportation and communication facilities; and are, therefore, very isolated. The illustration of the archipelago may assist us in understanding the educational problems faced by the country especially in relation to the provision of equal opportunity of education and that’s why distance education is essential there.

In Indonesia, the Ministry of National Education has implemented distance education system for formal and out-of-school or adult education. In formal education, distance education system is implemented in the three levels of education from primary, secondary to tertiary levels. Besides, it has also been developed in several ministries and institutions other than the Ministry of National Education, such as: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Industry and Trade; Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Manpower; the Indonesian Telecommunication Company.

In the above sectors, distance education is employed to overcome difficulties in providing training for staff that need improvement of knowledge and skills but they cannot leave their jobs to attend conventional training programs.

Distance education in Indonesia started in 1950s with a type of correspondence course to improve the knowledge and skill of teachers all over the country. The number of higher education at that time was very limited and was available only in several of the capital cities. Therefore, the presence of distance education is very helpful for teachers who want to continue their studies.