The design of distance training systems for South Africa with an emphasis on low cost and didactical efficiency

The policy and design aspects with regard to the implementation of future distance training systems in South Africa are discussed. A specific low cost distance training technology model is proposed which could enable low cost and interactive distance education in South Africa by means of television. Because of its cost-efficiency, systems based on the model may be run autonomously by individual educational institutions with major impacts in the present high population density metropolitan and adjacent rural areas. Design aspects with regard to low cost signal distribution options are presented. Examples are also presented of some cost structures