Adult education embraces many countries to produce people who have better-working capabilities, have good family relations, as well as forming the foundation for better citizenship. “Adult and Continuing Education Programs play a very crucial role in the development aspect of any society. “(Rogers). Adult education enhances the education levels for various individuals who are not able to receive the core and the standard education. “A persons; lifestyle” is a part of their level of education (Barton) Adult education serves all individuals who are sixteen years and older without an education. It also includes people with no education at all and those who are currently enrolled in a secondary school. Individuals without a diploma are welcome in adult education of their country. The adult education system also incorporates all those people who have the urge to know how to speak, read, and even have the ability to write the English language.
Division of the Adult Learning Program
The adult learning program is divided into various parts to facilitate various administrations of the various departments such as the Adult Basic Education, Adult High School, the GED Preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). “The major program areas are Adult Basic Education Adult High School and GED® Preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These programs emphasize basic skills such as reading, writing, math, and English language competency. Adult education programs also help adult learners gain the knowledge and skills they need to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.” These programs are samples that the school district perceives as important for the constituencies in their district.
The ESOL system usually bases its emphasis on the basic skills of reading and writing of the language and other disciplines such as the basic mathematical calculations. The programs also emphasize the need to introduce the learning of competency in the English language. The adult education system provides these skills to enhance the labor force of the people, making them more productive workers and produces a better and reliable society. “There is no longer any doubt that adult education within lifelong learning is a key factor in economic and social development, as well as being a human right”. (Hinzen, 2).
Adult instruction is a practice in which grown-ups participate in methodical and managed self–educating exercises to increase new types of information, abilities, states of mind, or values. It can mean any type of learning grown-ups take part in past conventional educating, enveloping fundamental proficiency to individual satisfaction as a long lasting learner. Specifically, grown-up training mirrors a particular logic about learning and educating in light of the suspicion that grown-ups can and need to realize, that they are capable and willing to assume liability for that learning, and that the learning itself ought to react to their needs. Driven by what one needs or needs to take in, the accessible open doors, and the way in which one learns, grown-up learning is influenced by demographics, globalization and technology.
Approaches To Improve the Adult Learning System
The adult education system has been able to provide development at the personal level, which has been able to enhance the ability of the people. The school system should be able to address the various learning needs as well as the general requirements for the learning process. Additionally, the schools should be able to include education for the physically challenges, that is, all the people in the society with disabilities, and who need not only basic education but also care. The schools also should offer vocational training including in-service, unemployment retraining, and senior citizens. The learning happens from numerous points of view and in numerous connections pretty much as every one of grown-ups' lives differ. Adult learning can be in any of the three settings, the first is a formal setting which is structured discovering that commonly happens in an instruction or preparing organization, as a rule with a set educational modules and conveys accreditations. Secondly, there is the informal process which is learning that is sorted out by instructive foundations yet non qualification. Informal learning opportunities might be given in the work environment and through the exercises of community groups and gatherings. Lastly adult education can encompass a casual training goes on constantly, coming about because of everyday life exercises identified with work, family, group or recreation. Some might consider this on-the-job training.
Challenges Facing the Adult Education System
The adult educational system is usually faced with various challenges including economic, political, social as well as personal issues (National Academy of Sciences p 84). In her remarks, Mari Pearlman said that “In order to have reliable and valid assessments to compare students’ outcomes across classes, programs, and states, a common domain must be used as the basis for the assessment”. Another challenge is that there is no universality in the application of the adult education system. Other setbacks in the adult educational system are the unavailability of resources and finances that are required to streamline the whole process of the adult educational system. The quality of education in the majority of the countries is of little quality. This low quality makes the education of less value, and hence suffers a lot of competition from the other systems all over the world.
Another problem that is faced in Adult Education is the amount of qualified teachers. Some districts have provisions not allowing for teachers in the regular programs to teach Adult Education in addition to their regular work load. They may teach in the summer months but not during the school year. Also teachers in Adult Education need particular in-depth studies into the course materials and so the pool of qualified teacher may be smaller than those cerified for elementary or secondary education. Many nonprofits offer Adult Education which creates a smaller compensation package which does not allow for a cost effective position for the qualifies teachers.
Solutions to the Challenges Facing the Adult Education System
Various approaches can be adopted so that the problems facing the adult education system. Provision of a basic educational system that can easily be understood is the key to the development of the whole system. The government involvement is essential as the government gives guidelines as well as the rules that are supposed to be followed in the administration of the educational system. “Education in any nation and to individuals within it is very important because education remains a valuable tool for fighting ignorance, disease, squalor and poverty. It is a means to raising enlightened citizenry who will help in bringing about a prosperous nation.” (Olufunke 3). Having a funding source is crucial as the funds provided can be from the governmental sources, the general public, well-wishers, and faith organizations or even from personal contributions. The funds collected can be put to use, which includes the payments to the teachers, development of the structures within the schools, or the learning environments. The funds can be utilized for the purchase of other amenities, such as medicine, school buses, or even books. These amenities make the learning process smooth and successful.
One solution that is effective in Adult Education is to look for philanthropic donations. These are people in the community who are looking to advance the educational level of the people of a certain community and will donate funds, books, and facilities to encourage adults to return to school. Often the schools will offer their facilities on off student hours to accommodate the Adults later in the day or in the evening. Many times the adults have to pay some monies toward these classes. Social services departments can offer places that will allow for assistance in the tuition for qualified candidates.
Conclusion
An adult education program can be invaluable to many people who would otherwise not have access to education. Without an educated society there are many problems for the people and the government alike. But by providing to solutions that prevent the education of its citizenry all members of the society can benefit especially those on the periphery and most often neglected.
Many subjects are offered in Adult Education and the student range from people who have not had educational experience sin the past to those wishing to learn a hobby. People who are unfamiliar with the language and language skills may also take ESOL courses even though they might have a degree or diploma from another country. Teachers in adult education classes usually use an informal approach to the education because most people are in attendance because they want to be there and are not forced to be there. Problems of funding and logistics persist but still Adult Education offers a valued contribution to the community. “Making frantic efforts to provide well equipped adult education centers, well trained facilitators, funding the programs of adult education adequately and adult learner's willingness to participate in programs that would develop them and the communities in which they live will definitely bring progress to adult education.” (Olufunke 3).
Works Cited
Barton, David & Hamilton, M., Local Literacies, Writing In One Community, Routledge, 1998.
Hinzen, Heribert., Adult Education: Organization and Financing - Background Document, Dev International, Web 3rd April 2016 (https://www.dvv-international.de/en/adult-education-and-development/editions/aed-682007/icae-commission-organizing-and-financing-adult-learning/adult-education-organisation-and-financing-background-document/)
National Academy of Sciences, Challenges in Adult Education, Web 3rd April 2016 (http://www.nap.edu/read/10366/chapter/7)
Olufunke, M.Adedokun, Finding Solutions to Challenges Facing Adult Education in Nigeria, International Journal of Learning & Development, 2013, Vol. 3
Rogers, Zelda., Adult Education, the Florida Department of Education, Web 3rd April 2016 (http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/adult-edu)
Wanyama K.Iddah., Challenges Facing the Sustainability of Adult and Continuing Education Programs in Kenya. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 5. 5 (2014) (http://www.mcser.org/journal/index.php/mjss/article/viewFile/2767/2732)
