Determinants of Adult Learners Enrolment into Open and Distance Learning Institutions in the North East, Nigeria

Abstract

This study surveyed determinants of adult learners enrolment into open and distance learning institutions in the north east of Nigeria.  The objectives of the study were to determine if; increase in income is a factor influencing adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme; updating of knowledge and skills is a factor influencing adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme; psychological interest is a factor influencing adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme.  Hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level.  Ho₁ increase in income will not significantly influence adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme.  Ho₂ Updating of knowledge and skills will not significantly influence adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme. Ho₃ Psychological interest will not significantly influence adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme.  Survey design was used for the study.  The population for the study was 13,406 adult learners enrolled into the University of Maiduguri, Centre for Distance Learning, Federal University of Technology Yola Centre for Distance Learning and National Open University of Nigeria, Maiduguri Study Centre.  The sample for the study was 987 respondents selected through stratified proportionate to size random sampling technique.  A 25 – item questionnaire named “Determinants of Adult Learners Questionnaire” (DALQ) was administered to the sample respondents.  Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean, Standard deviation and chi-square were used to test the hypotheses. The findings showed that, increase in income has significantly influenced adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme, updating of knowledge and skills has not significantly influenced adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme, and psychological interest has not significantly influenced adult learners to enrol into open and distance learning programme.  Based on the above findings, the following recommendations were made, employers should freely facilitate employees to satisfy their need of increase in income through enrolment into open and distance learning programme; and conduct seminars and workshops to make employees appreciate learning for its own sake and derive satisfaction in the pursuit and updating of knowledge for its own sake.

Keywords: Determinants, Adult, Learners, Enrolment, Distance, Learning,