National Extension College welcomes accreditation as "rigorous and challenging."

The NEC, recently described as a "national centre of excellence in open and distance learning" by PM Tony Blair, have welcomed their re-accreditation by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council yesterday.

"Accreditation is an important requirement for distance learning providers, never more so than at a time when disreputable providers are in the spotlight.    Students deserve the protection of external quality assurance," emphasised Ros Morpeth, Executive Director of the National Extension College.

"Staff and trustees were delighted to get the news that our distance learning programmes have been re-accredited.    The process was certainly more rigorous and challenging than it was five years ago.    Our staff and tutors worked hard to prepare the submission, so the success is as much a tribute to them as it is to the high standard of service and support we aim to provide to all our students."

The NEC was concerned about the effect of bogus providers on quality provision as far back as 1968.    Their campaigning led to the establishment of the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges (CACC), the precursor to the ODL QC.    The NEC was first accredited by the CACC in July 1972.

The official recognition by ODL QC, and the excellence it represents explains NEC’s popularity with learners over five decades.

Further details from:

www.odlqc.org.uk
Elspeth Harrison at ODL QC on 020 7612 7090 or odlqc@dial.pipex.com

or from Laurence Herbert (laurence.herbert@nec.ac.uk) or Patricia Stubbs (patricia.stubbs@nec.ac.uk) at NEC on 01223 400350, or see www.nec.ac.uk.