Challenges of Field Level Staff of Bangladesh Open University to Expedite Better Implementation of B.Ed and M.Ed Programs:

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the challenges of field level staff of Bangladesh
Open University to expedite better implementation of B.Ed and M.Ed programs. Data
were collected by administering 3 different tools (Questionnaire, Interview schedule
& FGD schedule) to the staff of 6 Regional Centers (RC, Dhaka; RC, Chattogram;
RC, Rajshahi: RC, Khulna; RC, Barisal and RC, Sylhet) of Bangladesh Open
University. The questionnaire was scaled like a Likert-type with a five point rating
ranging from „strongly disagree‟ to „strongly agree‟. Questionnaire was administered
to 48 staff (8 staff/RC), Interview schedule was administered to 12 staff (2 staff/RC)
and FGD schedule was administered to 30 staff (1 FGD including 5 staff/RC). So the
total sample size was 90 (48+12+30). However, the major findings of the study from
quantitative data analysis revealed that the highest agree response (M=3.62) of the
respondents belonged to the challenges outlined under the area “Examination
management challenges”. On the other hand, the lowest response (M=2.62) belonged
to the challenges under the area “Coordination related challenges”. This study
further indicated that the proposed measures outlined under each area got the agree
response (M>3.00) regarding “Things to do for overcoming the challenges”. The
highest agree response (M=4.39) belonged to the proposed measures under the area
“Things to do for overcoming infrastructural challenges” whereas the lowest agree
response (M=4.06) of the respondents belonged to the proposed measures under the
area “Things to do for overcoming examination management challenges”. Apart
from this, qualitative data analysis revealed that professional and coordination
related challenges are the main challenges for the staff of Regional Centers of BOU.