IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED FUNCTIONAL ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM IN KONSO WOREDA: ITS STRUCTURE, PARTICIPATION, IMPACT AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of the implementation of IFALP and to investigate the establishments of IFALP administration structure and its function, impacts of the program, trainee participation in the program and challenges facing the implementation of the IFALP in Konso Woreda. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Descriptive survey design was used. Sources of data were four Woreda adult education board (WAEB) members, 12 education department staffs, 10 supervisors, 30 facilitators and 385 adult learners. Questionnaire, interview, document analysis and observation are used for data collections. Findings revealed that, WAEB was established but not functional and Woreda IFALP technical committee was not established. Kebele adult education boards (KAEBs) and Kebele adult education technical committees were established and functioning at very low level. Woreda Education Department function in the implementation of IFALP was at a medium level. There were the slow progresses of adult’s participation in IFALP in Konso Woreda and up to 2014/15 only 4589 adult learners graduated from the IFALP and the implementation of IFALP showed social, economic and thinking abilities impact on adult learners. The study also disclosed the weakness of IFALP administration structures, learner home related factors, learning environment related factors, shortage of teaching learning materials and facilitators’ related factors as the challenging factors facing the implementation of the program. Based on the findings, it was concluded that; administration structure of IFALP were not strengthen, participation of learners in IFALP were low, the program shows significant effects on adult learners and there were the factors challenging the implementation of the program in Konso Woreda. Based on the findings, responsible bodies were recommended to establish strong IFALP administration structure at Woreda and build their capacity to improve the challenges that faced the implementation of IFALP in the Woreda.