Factors contributing to low men enrollment in adult education literacy programmes: a case of Ruring’u division, Nyeri county

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study aimed at investigating the factors contributing to low men enrollment in Adult Education Literacy Programmes in Ruring’u Division, Nyeri County. The study specifically looked at the internal and external factors. The proposed study sought to fulfill the following objectives: to establish the availability of teaching/learning resources in AEL programme in Ruring’u Division, to establish the prevalence of men enrolled in AEL programmes and to establish the professional qualifications of facilitators of AEL programmes. According to James and Sally (2001) descriptive survey is a method which is used to explore relationships between variables and allows generalizations across the population. Therefore, it is used in this study because it enabled the researcher to obtain accurate information for large numbers of people using a small sample. The target population of this study was all adult learners in formal AEL programme. The study carried out a census of the 30 AE centres in Ruring’u Division. There are 767 learners and 17 facilitators in the district, 213 of whom are men. The data of this study was collected using a questionnaire for learners and facilitators while a semi- structured interview schedule for the senior administrators was used. The data collected by use of the various instruments was first coded to allow for easy classification in order to facilitate interpretation. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. After collecting the raw data, coding was done whereby responses were assigned codes. The coded data was entered into the Excel programme running on Windows Xp. The data was presented by use of tables. Some centres had adequate teaching/learning materials and others did not have adequate teaching/learning materials. The general enrollment of men in the area of study was wanting as compared to that of women. The study found that the facilitators were not adequately trained in AE and therefore this may have a bearing on the acceptance of men to enroll in the classes. The research made the following recommendations to the relevant stakeholders:  The government should provide learning materials to all AEL Progammes.  All stakeholders should conduct sensitization seminars so as to encourage men to enroll in AEL classes.  The government should ensure that all AEL facilitators are properly trained.