dc.description.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. | en |