The impact of adult education on women small scale entrepreneurs in Embakasi division of Nairobi province

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to find assess the impact of adult education on Women Small Scale Entrepreneurs (WSSE) in Embakasi division of Nairobi Province. The study sought to fulfil three main objectives, namely, to: identify the common types of businesses carried out by women small scale entrepreneurs, find how adult education impacts on the socio-economic status of women in Embakasi division of Nairobi Province and explore the difference between businesses run by literate and non-literate women. The research study was guided by research questions, which were relevant to the objectives of the study. Literature review of the study covered the historical background on African Entrepreneurship. The role of small enterprises and development, Women Entrepreneurs in Pre-Independent Nairobi, Kenyan Women and Education, Historical Background of Adult Education in Kenya, The Role of Adult Education in Development, and finally, Mezirow's Transformative Learning. Though the literature review showed that there has been research in adult education, very little has been done in relation to women and entrepreneurship. The data was collected-through questionnaires. Based on the study data, the following were the findings of the study: that the women faced many challenges in terms of accessing loan facilities for their businesses because they had no security to offer as a guarantee, and thus many of the businesses had not expanded as expected by the business-women. These businesswomen, especially the ones who have had some form of adult education were able to keep their records well to determine their profit and to stock their businesses well. They had changed their lifestyles socially, economically and their attributes are positive. The study recommended training these women further for those already trained and for those yet to be trained to take an initiative. Small scale businesses being an employment provider should be given more attention now than has ever before.