Factors affecting the effectiveness of adult Education in Ganze division, Kenya

Abstract

In her infancy as a nation, Kenya through her founding father, Kenyatta, identified ignorance, diseases and poverty as the major hindrance to development therefore all efforts were directed to the eradication of these hindrances to development. Elimu ya Ngumbaro (adult education) was introduced to improve literacy levels hence eradicating ignorance especially in the adult population. At that time AE was under the Ministry of Culture and Social Services.Today AE, apart from its original aim of teaching basic literacy skill also aims at inculculating appropriate skills to enable the adult face the challenging environment more confidently. It is worth noting that adults have immense challenges in accessing education. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect the effectiveness of adult education in Ganze division, Kilifi District of Kenya.Objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study. The researcher sought to establish if there is sufficient funding of AE, examined the composition of the target groups, role played by traditional beliefs and customs and the nature of the teaching and learning resources and how they affect the effectiveness of adult education. The study adopted an- ex-post-factor research design. The researcher targeted all 25 villages (target groups) in the division from which a sample of 24 villages was taken. All the providers of AE were also included in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 100 adult learners to partspate in the study.Research instruments included questionnaires for adults’ teachers and adult learners and an observation schedule. Before the main study a pilot study was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the instruments. The research instruments were found to be valid and reliable. Using descriptive statistics the data was analyzed and presented in terms of frequency tables, pie charts, graphs and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that AE funding is inadequate, teaching and learning resources are poor as indicated by 67% of the adults’ teachers and in addition AE lacks trained teachers. The research recommended the provision of adequate and appropriate teaching and learning resources in AE, increased funding in AE, development of a curriculum for AE and above all the creation of AE programs. The study identified areas in which further research should be conducted. These include a similar study to be replicated in other parts of the country so as to derive a national perspective on the factors affecting the effectiveness of AE.