Enabling adult learners to access lifelong learning in D15 Tshwane West ACET centres

Abstract

Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. It not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship, personal development or growth, but also self-sustainability, competitiveness and employability, Baran, Dukova, Pinka (2015). The aim of this study was to enable adult learners to access lifelong learning in Tshwane West D15 ACET centres. This was achieved by exploring the following objectives: o Explore the factors which influence adult learners to pursue further educational activities. o Describe barriers to pursuing further educational activity by adult learners. o Develop intervention strategies to help students who want to pursue further educational activities. The literature is reviewed by presenting theoretical frameworks and exploring the adult learner’s motivation and behaviour pursuing lifelong learning. A qualitative research method was used to explore adult’s behaviour and holistic influence towards education, be it in the community, at the work place, in class as well as in the community. Interviews were employed to gather information and open-ended question helped the researcher to explore the facts. The findings from data analysis and interpretation revealed several barriers that adult learners are faced to pursue learning in D15 Tshwane West. The following research recommendations emanated from the findings of the study: • DHET should also give adult centres its own budget, which is to allow centre managers to run the centre budgets, not to apply for resources if they need to procure. It should be managed the same as in Basic education whereby centre managers are finally going to account to all the money spend using necessary tools as per Public Finance Management Act. • Resources should be procured to promote quality of teaching and learning including employing qualified ACET lecturers in time Policies should not be red taped, let DHET be clear of its policies and adhere to them to help lecturers knows what is expected of them and to give them confidence to work without fear • Sanitation is dignity, let DHET work in hand with basic education to ensure that schools are properly maintained, securities are put in place, systems are in order to ensure safety and security of students and everyone at the centre.