Awareness and Utilization of Agricultural Enhancement Strategies and Adult Education for Sustainable Community Development in Bayelsa State (Published)
This paper assessed the level of awareness and utilization of agricultural enhancement strategies and adult education for sustainable community development in Bayelsa State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of study comprised of all adults engaged in agricultural activities in the eight LGA in Bayelsa state. A total of 509 farmers formed the sample of the study. Agricultural Enhancement Strategies for Sustainable Development Questionnaire” (AESSDQ) developed by the researcher was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts of measurement and evaluation and adult and community development experts. It was subjected to pilot testing and the outcome was analyzed using Cronbach Alpha Formula which yielded a coefficient value of 0.80. One-on-one mode of questionnaire administration was adopted and 100% return rate was achieved. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that the level of awareness and the extent of utilization of agricultural enhancement strategies for sustainable community development among farmers who attends adults’ education programme is higher than those who does not attend adult education programme. It was recommended amongst others that Adult education should be given more attention than it already has as a veritable tool for promoting sustainable community development.
Keywords: Adult Education, Sustainable Community Development, Utilization, agricultural enhancement strategies, awareness
Repositioning Adult Education to Boost Socio-Economic Transformation in Nigeria through Inclusion of Environmental Literacy (Published)
Briefly put, Socio-Economic Transformation (SET) as a concept, refers to a process of sustainable improvement in individual (per-capita) and national (Gross Domestic Product) incomes resulting in improved standard of living and poverty reduction through intra- and inter-sectorial mobility of labour, following quality education and skills development. Using this definition and available statistics to assess the current state of SET in Nigeria, this paper has shown the country’s failure to achieve her related dreams, plans and visions over time. The contributions of Adult Education (AE) to SET in Nigeria have also been established in this paper to be limited by the virtual absence of environmental content in most AE programmes. Environmental Literacy (EL), on the other hand, has been shown to be imbued with significant environmental content related to SET, and which could remediate the said limitations of AE. Accordingly, the paper recommends repositioning of AE through inclusion of EL to boost Nigeria’s SET. The country’s National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education is recommended to pilot the repositioning process. Furthermore, the author of this paper has included here, a practicable diagrammatic model for possible adoption to facilitate the process of including EL in AE.
Keywords: Adult Education, Repositioning, Socio-Economic Transformation., environmental literacy
Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Adult Education for Promoting Right Democratic Values in Nigeria (Published)
Democracy as a system of government that recognizes the power of the people to rule is practiced in Nigeria by adults that are constitutionally defined as those who are 18 years of age and above. This paper observes that the people who should be in control of power have not recognized themselves as true power-holders who should be actively involved in democratic processes but are rather used by perceived “power-holders” in distorting democratic processes which bestowed power on them. This is attributed to lack of knowledge of the power bestowed on them by democracy to elect and remove any official who fails to protect their interests, welfare and aspirations. The paper establishes that this lack of knowledge stems from lack of quality information on democracy and its nexus and hence the bedrock of the prevailing democratic situations in Nigeria characterised by various negative democratic manoeuverings (such as electoral malpractices, denial of right to choose leaders or representatives, lack of freedom of speech, etc) leading to inability to deliver dividends of good governance to the people. This according to the paper leads to social ills and problems such as crimes, poverty, unemployment, etc. The paper proffers solution to this problem by proposing ways through which information and communication technology (ICT) could be used as a vehicle through which a large proportion of adults could be conscientized on the strength and power bestowed on them through democratic processes. The paper concludes that when people (adults) exercise their democratic powers and strength, dividends of good governance would be delivered while social vices and problems would be averted.
Keywords: Adult Education, Democracy, Democratic Values, Information and Communication Technology
Repositioning Adult Education to Address Youth Restiveness in Rivers State (Published)
This paper examined how adult education can be repositioned to address youth restiveness in Rivers State. The study was anchored on John Burton Human Needs Theory. The key instrument for data collection was Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in three Local Government Areas in Rivers State. The views of experts in the field of adult education through interviews were also used to complement the experience and personal observation of the writer. The findings of the study revealed that the causes of youth restiveness include illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and insincerity of the community leaders and the activities of the politicians. The author concluded that adult education if repositioned can address youth restiveness and other emerging issues in the society. Based on the findings, the writer recommended among others that adult education objectives, scope and curriculum should be revisited to address the developmental needs of the youths and that adult education agencies as a matter of urgency should form a synergy
Keywords: Adult Education, Repositioning, Youth, and Restiveness
The Contribution of in-Company Training to Skills Improvement and Human Resources Development (Published)
The following research comes to explore the importance and contribution of in-company training human resources to the business. The literature review shows that education, as a tool for shaping attitudes and attitudes and developing new skills, can play a key role in improving staff skills and thus influencing the overall growth and competitiveness of an enterprise. In the present study, a survey of mixed methods was conducted with quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) data and with sample employees from the Greek construction company “Avax”. Answers confirm that education provides employees with all the skills and support they need in order to be more efficient and thus increase their competitiveness and productivity. This research adds further data to the area of in-company education and training, since this kind of research in Greece is limited. In addition the impact of the economic crisis and the change in the culture of businesses trying to survive through training and investing in human resources is highlighted.
Keywords: Adult Education, Educational Needs, Human Resources, In-Company Training, Skills
Utilization of Adult Education Strategies in handling situational crisis in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. (Published)
Situational crisis is becoming rampant in our tertiary institutions. The frequency of its occurrence signals the need for proactive plans and strategies to curb and diffuse the perceived effects of crisis in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The process requires the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to bring about behavioral changes that will enable children, youth and adults to prevent conflict and crisis, and peacefully resolve same at event of its occurrence, through the creation of conducive atmosphere of peace, at all levels of relationship (interpersonal intrapersonal, intergroup within the system. The paper is focused on providing alternative approach in the handling of crises in Nigerian tertiary institutions so as to avert the irreparable damages that could result from crises. The concept of conflict/crisis were discussed, and causes identified. Adult education strategies such as conscientization, dialogue and peace education were proffered to curb crises in the system. The study also outlined other ways forward which if followed will address the problem of conflicts/crises in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Keywords: Adult Education, Situational crisis, Strategy, Tertiary Institution