Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation and challenges of Adult education
program in Gomma Woreda, Jimma Zone. The study attempted to answer three basic
research questions. This study employed a descriptive survey design with mixed research
method. From the 141 population of adult education facilitators 104 participants were
selected using simple random sampling and all samples responded the questionnaires,
whereas; qualitative data was collected from 30 adult learner through interview and
document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using percentage, mean and standard
deviation whereas qualitative data were analyzed textually. The results revealed that the
adult education program is poorly implemented in the study area((M = 2.56); the facilitators
are not effectively carrying out their activities(M = 2.71); lack of permanent adult education
centre, inconvenient location of adult education centre, lack of a sustainability of adult
education program implementation, lack of budget, absence of rule and regulation for
learner, lack of permanent education centre coordinator, lack of facilitator coordination,
and lack of appropriate follow up from concerned bodies are main challenges for low
implementations of the program. It is concluded that the current practices used to implement
adult education could not bring change as the right way to escape from illiteracy problem.
Using the findings, it is recommended that the zone and Woreda education offices have to
redesign the system of the program that could facilitate more integration among the
facilitators and coordinators.
