Investigating the perceptions of the graduates and beneficiaries of the adult education programmes towards livelihood improvement: The case of informal settlements, Windhoek
This study investigated the perceptions of the graduates and beneficiaries of the adult education programmes aimed at livelihood improvement in informal settlements of Windhoek. The adult education programmes that were looked at are the National Literacy Programme in Namibia (NLPN), Adult Upper Primary Education (AUPE) and Adult Skills Development for Self Employment (ASDSE). Evaluations on the implementation of these programmes have been carried out, and the findings show successes. However, no assessment has yet been done to validate the perceptions of the participants on the adult education programmes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of NLPN and AUPE graduates, and ASDSE beneficiaries on the effectiveness of the programmes geared towards improvement of livelihoods. The study focused on three main research questions on investigating the perceptions of the graduates of NLPN and AUPE, and ASDSE beneficiaries regarding the effectiveness of the programmes for the improvement of livelihoods. The study used a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design focus. The sample of the study was 37 graduates and beneficiaries of the NLPN, AUPE and ASDSE programme. The study made use of the snow-ball sampling and purposive procedures to select the participants. An interview guide, an audio recorder and field notes were the research instruments used to collect data. The technique of collecting data that was used is that of face-to-face interview. The qualitative data analysis method used was interpretative phenomenological analysis. The study disclosed that the adult education programmes are tools to combat many social evils in Namibia. The study also found that the adult education programmes are successfully impacting on the improvement of living standards of people in various aspects of life. Computer literacy and English language (from lower to intermediate level) were the main courses the respondents wanted to be taught. Implementation of a computer literacy course and English language at a higher level within the programmes is recommended for the fulfilment of the needs of the participants.
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