Abstract
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) based pre-service teacher training is gaining prominence in Africa but little is known about the gender perspective to the choice of ODL programme. While there is broad consensus about the need to train new teachers through ODL because of the shortage of qualified teachers, there is a dearth of research about the complexities of being a female pre-service teacher in an ODL programme. This study employed survey research design to examine how gender influences the choice of ODL based pre-service teacher training. Three hundred and sixty-two (362) female pre-service teachers in a South African based ODL institution responded to the anonymous web-based instrument which was designed on Google form and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that female students are motivated to enrol in an ODL pre-service teacher training because of factors such as flexibility of studies, family demands, and work-study opportunity- that accrue from such a programme. However, the study found that a significant number of the female pre-service teachers are struggling to utilize e-learning technologies. The study, therefore, recommends special training programmes for female students with a significant part of such training facilitated by female education specialists and technologists.