Functional Impacts of Adult Literacy Programme on Rural Women

Abstract

This study assessed the functional impacts of adult literacy programme among rural women participants in Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study was made up of 115 adult instructors and 2,408 adult learners giving a total of 2,623. The sample consisted of all the 115 adult instructors and 200 rural women enrolled in adult literacy programme, giving a total sample size of 315. The sample was drawn using simple random sampling method. Data were collected using researcher-designed questionnaire made up of nineteen items. Four-point scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree was used to rate the responses of the respondents. Mean was used for data analysis. A mean of 2.50 and above was accepted while any mean less than 2.5 rejected. Two experts in adult education and one expert in measurement and evaluation evaluated the instrument. Reliability of the instrument was ascertained using test-retest method. Using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, a correlation coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. The study revealed among other things, that adult literacy programme in Ishielu L.G.A. of Ebonyi State has functional impacts on the lives of the rural women in the following areas: family life, trades and community development roles. It was recommended that adult education organizers should carry out periodic assessment of the needs of rural women and plan their programmes accordingly.

Keywords: Functional, adult literacy, programme, rural, women