The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) recently supported an open and distance learning (ODL) policy development workshop in Togo. Fifty stakeholders from ministries of higher education, technical education and boards of universities in Togo attended the workshop from 2 – 5 October 2023 for sensitisation on ODL and the drafting of an ODL policy for higher education.
In his opening remark, Komi Attissovi Marc Aziadou-Ayissou, representing the Permanent Technical Secretary of the Education Sector Plan, thanked COL for this support and reminded stakeholders of the workshop objectives around ODL.
Professor Jane-Frances Agbu, Adviser, Higher Education at COL – in Togo to facilitate this event – also visited the Minister Secretary General of the Government, Dr Eninam Massai Trimu, and other senior officials. Dr Trimu said he looked forward to the recommendations that will emerge from the workshop and confirmed that the Government of Togo will fulfil its obligations towards the approval and implementation of the policy at national and institutional levels.
Professor Agbu noted, “The workshop was very interactive with pertinent questions asked by stakeholders to better understand ODL. The strong political will from the government buttress the commitment to create and widen access to opportunities for learning, making use of the potential offered by ODL.”
On 25 June 2022, Togo became the 56th member of the Commonwealth following approval from Commonwealth leaders during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Image caption: (L-R) Ms Seyinka Ihou, Charge de Missions at the level of the General Secretary of the Government, Mr Makre Skpane, Deputy Secretary General of the Government of Togo, Mme Essogbaré Adam-Tsar, COL Focal Point for Togo, Dr Eninam Massai Trimua, General Secretary of the Government of Togo, Prof Jane-Frances Agbu, Adviser, Higher Education COL, and Mr Eke Kokou Hodin, Deputy Minister in Charge of TVET.
