Distance learners may withdraw from a course because of personal, financial, or health
problems, not knowing that withdrawal may be unnecessary. Thus a learner support system
should make sure that students know how to obtain counseling and what kinds of problems
counselors can deal with. Students need to know, for example, whether counselors can:
- Intervene to postpone the due date for a written assignment until a student recovers
from an illness
- Provide advice on sources of financial assistance for students who cannot meet a payment
schedule or have lost their job
- Excuse parents facing a family crisis from residential school.
But education counselors need to recognize the limits of their expertise, and the
institution should provide guidance and training in this regard.
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