The Role Of Integrated Functional Adult Education Programme In Empowering Rural Women: The Case Of Guto Gida District, East Wollega Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aims to look at the role of integrated functional adult education program in empowering rural women in the case of Guto Gida District. To achieve this objective, the researcher was used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The total sample size for this study was 74. From this, 30 adult learners were selected by using available sampling, 37 facilitators were selected by utilizing simple random sampling. 1 coordinator and 6 educational supervisors were selected purposively. The instruments used to collect data were: questionnaire, semi-structured interview, and focus group discussion. Questionnaires were prepared to completed by facilitators. The semi-structured interview was prepared to gather information from the educational supervisors and coordinator. The focus group discussion was prepared to gathering information from adult learners. After gathering the necessary information, it was presented by using tables, and finally analyzing form of descriptive statement. The findings from the data analysis indicated that; the contents of the integrated functional adult education program are highly relevant to the daily lives of adults; increasing abilities of women learners in terms of read, write, and compute; and self-confidence in expressing feelings and ideas, most of women learners unable to manage their income because power is on the hand of husbands, and the program are not improving economy of learners and most of adult learners increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop productivity and increase saving habits and give value to their literacy skills; and develop business skills. The main challenges that affected women’s economic empowerment in the program were: most women learners had a lack of knowledge and skills; the community’s negative attitude towards xvii women's education; heavy work load; low decision-making ability; shortage of allocated budget to implement and develop the program successfully; and poor understanding about program. Therefore, to alleviate these problems, the allocation budget and mobilization of resources by using different mechanisms such as fund raising from the government and different non government bodies, developing learners’ attitudes and interest towards the integrated functional adult education program were recommended.