Extent of Management of Adult Education Programmes for Sustainable Development in Delta State

Abstract

This study examined the extent of management of adult education programmes for sustainable development in Delta State. Three research questions guided the study. The descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised 559 facilitators in the 67 adult literacy centres in Delta State. Sample size for the study consisted of 391 respondents from 50 adult education programmes in Delta State selected through the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. A 20-item questionnaire developed by the researchers titled “Extent of Management of Adult Education Programmes for Sustainable Development Questionnaire (EMAEPSDQ)” served as the instrument for data collection. The response options on the questionnaire was structured on a 4-point scale of Very High Extent (VHE) – 4, High Extent (HE) – 3, Low Extent (LE) – 2 and Very Low Extent (VLE) – 1. The questionnaire was face validated by three experts from the Department of Adult and Non-Formal Education, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Edo State including a Measurement and Evaluation expert in the same department. Reliability of the instrument was established through a pilot test using a sample of 25 facilitators from 5 adult education programmes outside the sample in Edo State. Data obtained from the sample after the pilot test were computed using the Cronbach Alpha statistics which gave reliability coefficient values of 0.73, 0.71 and 0.79 for each of the three clusters respectively; which were all added up to give an overall internal consistency reliability value of 0.74. This result showed that the instrument was reliable and dependable to conduct the study. Method of data collection was through a physical, hand-delivery and face to face contact with the respondents using the help of three (3) research assistants. Mean and standard deviation scores were used to answer the research questions. Findings from the study revealed among others that the extent of the management of adult education programmes for sustainable development through the accessibility of various educational resources, programme supervision and use of effective human resources development strategies in Delta State were all to a low extent. From the findings of the study recommendations were proffered. Among them are that the Delta State government through the Delta State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education likewise in collaboration with other stakeholders such as private sector, individuals, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations, should constantly make provisions of adequate funds that will aid the accessibility of educational resources for effective management of adult education programmes for sustainable development in Delta State to a high extent.