Adult Education as an Agent for Social Change in Nigeria (a Case Study of Oron Local Government Area)
ABSTRACT
This study on Adult Education as an agent for social change in Nigeria has conducted n Oron Local Government Area. The population for the study comprised four hundred (400) adult learners. The sample size was two hundred (200) adult learners. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. The findings revealed that adult education contributes positively to individuals and community development; that lack of awareness, misconception of its principles and lack of funding are the challenges facing Adult Education programme; and that adult education is seen as a remedy to existing social problems in Oron Local Government Area. On the basis of the findings, the following recommendations were made: government, non-governmental organizations, sole traders and adult instructors should adequately fund adult education programmes as well as making it accessible to adult citizens so as to achieve the goals of adult education in the 2004 National Policy on Education. The study concluded that adult education will not achieve its goals and objectives which are primarily targeted to bring social change in the status of individuals and for societal advancement, until it is properly managed and executed.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The Education of adults is certainly as old as man himself. In ancient times, for instance, the study of astrology, law, medicine and priesthood was largely done by adult and these studies engaged the attention of the privileged leisure class but much later, as a result of the Industrial Revolution, the need arose to bring education closer to the reach of the mass of ordinary working-class men and women (Kyrian, 2013). However, adult education according to Igbo (2008) is often used interchangeably with other notions like lifelong learning and non-formal education, among others.
Today, the word emphasizes the concept of Education For All (EFA). In giving a suitable definition of adult education, Ugwoegbu (2003) as quoted by Udo (2012) asserted that adult education is an educational programme aimed at improving either the cognitive, psychomotor or affective domain of individuals who are recognized by society as adults. In the view to bring change to individuals and society which is the aim of adult education, Eheazu (1998:15) sees it as “some specific functional training/vocational programme required by adults (who now constitute the illiterate, unskilled, semi-skilled or semi-professional labour force) to remedy not only their educational deficiencies but also to meet the needs of their various occupations whether as farmers, artisans or employees of corporate/private organizations”.
Also, Harbison in Obi (1987:75) supports Eheazu thus; “the wealth of a country is dependent not so much upon its natural resources and material capital; it is determined in a significant degree by the knowledge, skills and motivation of its people”. The people here are referred to as adults who integrate those acquired skills in their daily activities for personal development as well as enhancing societal growth.
Adult Education as an Agent for Social Change in Nigeria (a Case Study of Oron Local Government Area)
Similarly, Sebates (2008) concludes that participating in adult learning can help substantially to reduce poverty through enhancing employment prospects, improving health levels of poor people and giving enhancement to acquiring the tools needed to run their own lives.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Adult and non-formal education is the education people need as long as they are alive and regardless of the amount of their previous education, and it is an integral part of any modern country’s educational system. Adult education is needful for all categories of people starting from 18 years and above regardless of your previous education and position attained in the society(Nwafor & Agi, 2013). Similarly, Seya (2014) posited that it is a lifelong process as long as man’s existence is intended to help its recipients to be gainfully employed and earn higher income and higher status. In fact, it helps its beneficiaries to make use of the computer, internet, and e-mail for more information and connections.
However, despite the central role of Adult and non-formal education in the development of the citizenry, there has been a misconception that attracts the attention of many researchers, Udo (2009) is of the view that Adult education lead to the growth and development of the society while Chu (2014) asserts that “adults and youths participation in vocational training and workshops facilitates renewal of knowledge and promote greater efficiency in the promotion of mass literacy.
Moreover, despite promotion of mass literacy and development of the individual, Nzeneri (2008) stated that adult education is given to youth and adults based on their social, political, cultural and economic needs and problems to enable them adjust fully to changes and challenges in their lives and society. The above situations however trigger the researcher to ask could Adult Education programme aid as an instrument for social change? In order to answer this question, there is need to investigate adult education as an instrument of social change in Oron Local Government Area.
Adult Education as an Agent for Social Change in Nigeria (a Case Study of Oron Local Government Area)
1.3 Purpose of the Study
Considering the myriads of social problems in the country, this research is therefore aim at revealing the role of adult education to individuals and the community development, others includes:
(1) To identify the challenges facing the effectiveness of adult education in Nigeria.
(2) To identify the contribution of adult education to individuals and community development
(3) To identify the extent to which adult education provides solutions to an existing social problem.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study shall be significant in various ways including the following.
- It will enlighten the government on the importance of adult education to the society.
- To adult learners; it shall yield high rate on investments and enhance labour productivity by equipping them with essential literacy and competent skills.
- The study shall assist adult educators in the formulation of educational policies which will assist in the development of adult education programme in the society.
- The study shall serve as a data bank for future researchers on topics in related field.
1.5 Research Questions
In this study, the researcher wishes to use the following research questions to direct her study:
(1) To what extent does adult education faces challenges in Nigeria?
(2) To what extent does adult education contribute to individual and community development?
(3) To what extent does adult education provide solutions to existing social problems?
Adult Education as an Agent for Social Change in Nigeria (a Case Study of Oron Local Government Area)