IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED FUNCTIONAL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM IN EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIYA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The Purpose of this study was to analyze the implementation of Integrated Functional Adult Literacy Program in East Haraghe zone. For this study, descriptive survey research designwas employed; both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through questionnaire, interviews and observation. The IFAL centers, the facilitators and learners were selected using simple random sampling.Questionnaire, interview and field observation data collection tools were implemented. Of the total sample size of the two study groups, 138 (95.1%) IFAL learners and 53 (96.3%) facilitators filled in and returned the questionnaire. In addition, five (5) IFAL program coordinators and six woreda supervisors were interviewed. The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square test. Some of the major findings were: Mostly IFAL program is planned by government bodies without full participation of other stakeholders, the planning process was carried out without need assessment and the needs of the learners and the needs of large society was not considered. There is no clearly stated roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and IFAL was not organized through formulated legal structure. It was found that the number of learners who come to IFAL, the achievement of IFAL objectives, level of community involvement in IFAL, number of facilitators who devoted their time for IFAL and the level of evaluation and monitoring system of coordinated sectors was low. The major challenges identified were lack of budget136 (71%), lack of awareness of community128 (67%),inconvenient location of IFAEcenters 139 (73%), inconvenient time table 138 (72%), absence of incentives for facilitators 149 (78%), lack of pre-service training for facilitators136 (71%), lack of commitment of facilitatorsand lack of motivation of facilitators119 (62%). Thus, to improve the situation, it is recommended that: there should be incentives for facilitators and coordinators, it is advisable to supply sufficient facilities, allocate budget, prepare guidelines for coordinated sectors at center and create learners awareness.