Adult Education in a Nutshell
So many adults have returned and are returning to the ‘classroom’, that the phrase ‘adult education’ has become somewhat overused and misunderstood. Adult education in the truest sense refers to all learning that adults engage in beyond formal/traditional schooling. In the most-used sense, adult education is about literacy, about adults learning to read the basic texts, instructions and ATM slips.
Although the term ‘adult education’ had been around for quite a while, South Africa has made it unique by including training and a heavy occupationally-focused aspect in nearly all curricula. Therefore adult education encompasses everything from basic literacy to advanced communication, from financial qualifications to high-order problem-solving.
What about Adult Education
The Basics of Adult Education: Literacy.
One of the principal goals of adult education is literacy. And fortunately organisations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) work vigorously to address adult illiteracy globally, because the illiteracy rate is extremely high. In fact, many adults are still enrolling in adult education courses at the most basic level. South Africa is not exempt from the literacy and numeracy challenge. There are many instructions, both private and public, who focus on this training.
But Why Adult Education ?
Simply stated, adults who did not achieve recognised schooling, or (even more common) received an education that lacks key subjects and skills such as Mathematics, can achieve substantially through adult education. Adults who complete their basic adult education not only have vastly improved skills, but they also have the opportunity to enter programmes at FET (Further Education and Training) and then (HET) Higher Education and Training.
The message is clear: find something you can learn as an adult. Improve what you can already do and/or start learning some adult education course that is completely new. Advance yourself, your family and your community.
Only through adult education can we address the real problems of society – like power sharing, wealth creation, gender and health issues,” said Adama Ouane, director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Paula Whitaker
Triple E Training (Pty) Ltd
September 2014
Refer to: Umalusi Accredited Providers for Accredited providers of Adult Education (FET and ABET) and training.
