AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADULT EDUCATION: A CASE FOR AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADULT EDUCATION: A CASE FOR AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY

Abstract
An Exploratory Study of Adult Education: A Case for
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The idea to conduct this study originated from a survey
which was conducted by the Department of Adult Education,
Centre for Adult Education Ahmadu Bello University in 1978.
Most universities’ adult education component is usually an
extension arm of the university which services the community
in which it is situated. Rarely are they concerned with the
status of adult education among its members of staff. The
purpose of this study has therefore been to determine to
what extent the entire -personnel of Ahmadu Bello University
avail themselves of educational opportunities available and
also to determine what factors either economic, social or
personal, are important determinants to participation in adult
education programmes.
A randomly selected sample of 300 members of staff who
were cpmprised 114 members of junior staff, 63 members of
intermediate staff and 96 members of senior staff was used in
the study.
Data was collected using a Liekert-type questionnaire which was
administered to the respondents either through the campus
mail or through face to face contact. Treatment of the data
was by (a) simple percentages and (b) by the chi square test
which was tested at the significant level of α = .05.
The main hypothesis tested was that participation in
adult education programmes was highly dependent on its
perception as a means of promotion in one’s career. The
significance of this hypothesis was considered as it related
to the three occupational status in the university, namely;
junior, intermediate and senior staff.
The results have revealed that the three occupational
groups differ in their primary reasons for participation in
adult education programmes. The reasons have ranged from
(l) means for economic advancement (2) acquisition op
requirements for higher education through (3) the need to
make professional impact in one’s field. The findings also
indicate that more staff members who have had 14 years of
education or more are involved in adult education programmes.
Therefore of the three levels of education, the rank orders
of their importance to participation in adult education
programmes are as follows:
ii
(1) the university level, (2) primary level and (3) the
secondary level.
This investigator contends that the study would be of
immense value to the University especially the Staff Development Section whose main objective is the development of the
entire staff and also to the Centre for Adult Education and
Extension Services of the university who provide and
coordinate programmes for adults.
Finally some recommendations have been made based on
the results of the study.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page- – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – -ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – -iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – -iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – -v
Table of content – – – – – – – -vi

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – -1
1.0 Background of the study – – – – -1
1.1 Statement of the problem – – – – -5
1.2 Purpose of the study – – – – – -6
1.3 Significance of the study – – – – -8
1.4 Research questions – – – – – -9
1.5 Scope of the study – – – – – – -10

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – -11

CHAPTER THREE

Research methodology – – – – – – -39
Design of study – – – – – – – -40

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data – -48

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings – – – – – – -60
Conclusion – – – – – – – – -61
Recommendations – – – – – – – -62
Suggestions for further research – – – – -64
References – – – – – – – – -65
Appendix I – – – – — – – – -68
Questionnaire. – – – – – – – -69

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADULT EDUCATION: A CASE FOR AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY