| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to establish the factors that inhibit adult literacy programme implementation in Githunguri District. The study examined how the ages of both the learners and the facilitators affect the implementation of the programme; the academic and professional qualifications of the ALP officers, teachers and supervisors. The study also investigated the adequacy of the learning resources and facilities in the ALP centres. Other areas that the study examined were the financing of ALP, local support, supervision of the programme, enrolment, attendance, dropout rate, employment status and work experience.
The literature review covered: the importance of adult literacy, financing of adult literacy programmes, availability of physical facilities and other learning resources, training and development of facilitators, motivation, enrolment and attendance. The review also covered management of adult literacy, learning situation and local support. From the reviewed literature, there is an indication of a high population of illiterate adults and youth in Kenya. The government of Kenya has put a lot of effort to eradicate illiteracy though its efforts have been strangled by such factors as low enrolment, irregular attendance to classes, high dropout rate, inadequate resources and facilities, poor supervision and lack of consistence in learning.
The research was conducted using an ex-post-facto research design which is mainly used when data is being classified by major sub-groups of the population. Six research questions were formulated to assist in the development of research instruments. Four questionnaires were developed as the data collection instruments and a pilot study was conducted to establish the validity of the research instruments. The items in the instruments sought to gather information on: the demographic details of the respondents} qualifications and training of the officers and the facilitators} employment status and work experience of the facilitators} adequacy of facilities and resources} financing and supervision of the literacy programme, the support given by the local community and; enrolment, attendance and dropout rates.
Purposive sampling and simple random sampling methods were used to get the sample size needed in the study. Stratified random sampling was also used where there were sub populations. The sample size used consisted of 71 respondents. The questionnaire return rate was 80.28%, a proportion which was more than one third of the target population} thus allowing for conclusions on the whole population to be drawn. After the discussions of the findings of the study, recommendations on how to improve the implementation of ALP were made and suggestions for further study were given. Tables, pie charts and graphs were used to present and analyse responses. The responses to open- ended items were reported by descriptive narrative.
The study found that the government does not allocate enough funds to meet the necessary demands for effective implementation of the Adult Literacy Programme. All the implementation activities of the programme were found handicapped due to insufficient funds. Without adequate funds it is quite difficult to carry out such activities as training of teachers, supervision, developing learning resources, providing appropriate facilities and retaining learners in the classes.
The study also found that the supervisor never visited some of the centres due to lack oftransport and that 50 % of the teachers were found to be untrained volunteers who left the centres after a short while for greener pastures. This explained the reasons for inconsistence in learning and high drop out rate. The study established that classes were conducted in primary and nursery school dassrooms, church and community buildings. Only one centre conducted classes on a leased piece of land and classrooms. It was also established that in Githunguri district, most learners support their education financially since the funds from the government are not enough. It was also found that apart from the government support, only one Faith Based Organization supported the programme.
The study established that the physical facilities used for basic classes were inappropriate for the adult learners. Primary school stores were used as classrooms and very low desks and benches designed for young children were quite uncomfortable for adults. Some of the latrines built for nursery school children were not fit for adults. In view of the findlngs, it was recommended that the government of Kenya should allocate adequate funds to the Department of Adult Education for effective implementation of the programme. Training of the literacy teachers and improving their employment status should be considered in order to have reliable, qualified personnel for effective implementation of ALP. For proper supervision, transport facilities should be provided. There is a notable need for employment of subordinate staff in both the DAEO'S office and the offices of the heads of the centres.
The Department of Adult Education should provide the literacy centres with learning resources. A study could also be conducted to find out why adults do not enrol in the Non-Formal Secondary Centres. Also a study needs to be carried out on why the out of school youth do not enrol into the programme. Factors cousing adult learners not to complete their courses for attainment of certificates should also be studied. The secondary curriculum for adults and out of school youth should be formulated and specialization of career interests be considered. | en_US |
