THE ROLE OF INTEGRATED FUNCTIONAL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM IN EMPOWERING WOMEN IN EAST HARARGHE ZONE OF OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the Role of Integrated Functional Adult Education Program in Empowering Women in East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Regional State. The descriptive survey research design was employed. Out of 305 functional adult learning centers in some East Hararghe Zone. From this 90 IFAE centers was selected by using simple random sampling techniques . out of 418 women learners in selected IFAE center, 204 women learners were selected by using simple random sampling. There were 90 facilitators in selected IFAE center that was selected by using purposive sampling techniques.out of 29 coordinators in selected IFAE center 7 coordinator was selected by using purposive sampling techniques. The total of 258 respondents (171 learners, 80 facilitators 7 coordinator) were participated in the study. The Findings of the study revealed that 258(100%) of respondents affirmed the role of IFALP matters such as health, agriculture, income generation, civic and ethical education, environmental protection and conservation and gender equality was moderate. The perception of IFAL in empowering women learners make women generate their own income, sensitize women to cooperate in social and economic development was high. challenges that hinders women empowerment are lack of awareness on the IFAL Program levels of IFAL Program recognition from the community/peers and family.Generally, depending on the responses on the role of IFAL program, the level of IFAE in empowering women was moderate. Which means it needs further efforts of concerned agents to empowering women learners to the further level. It is suggested that to achieve empowerment Coordinated effort by all the stakeholders, mainly the target beneficiaries, adult education experts and the woreda administration should take place and work together based on planned, monitoring and evaluation results, towards improving Hararghe women learning and the IFAL program at large.