Mongolia in transition: a role for distance education?

Mongolia is experiencing severe economic problems which are eroding its educationsystem as well as reducing the living standards of many. At the same time it isattempting to change to a democracy and a free market economy after 66 years ofcommunism (Mongolia was the second country in the world to adopt communism in1924). Like former Communist countries in Eastern Europe, Mongolia is seekingnew ways of meeting urgent needs for education and training with very limitedresources. Can distance education play a role? How feasible would it be? Thispaper examines these questions, outlines the circumstances which are leading to theintroduction of distance education in Mongolia and describes some new initiatives.