ABSTRACT
This study examined private cost of adult learning, using Pioneer and Panacea adult literacy centres as a case study. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, Four research questions were raised and answered while, one 1 hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance.
The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population of the Study consists of 78 adult learners enrolled in Pioneer and Panacea literacy centers. Using, a census sampling due to the small population size. The study adopted the questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated through experts’ judgment approach and was tested for reliability through the Cronbach’s alpha method. After computing, the data collected was analyzed using the Cronbach’s alpha method, and thus, a Cronbach’s alpha co-efficient of 0.70 were obtained. The data collected in the study was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics which involved; the use of frequency count, simple percentages, means score and standard deviation.
The findings of the Study revealed that private cost of adult learning influences the participation of adult learners as; there are socio-economic factors like; poverty, cost of living and employment opportunities that influences adult learners’ ability to fund their learning and the issue of the various components of private cost like; tuition, transportation, materials and time cost Incurred by adult learners which, contributes to their participation in the literacy programmes. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that; Private cost of Adult Learning influences the participation of adult learners, in Pioneer and Panacea literacy centres. The study therefore recommended that the government should ensure sufficient provision of learning materials, to cut expenses for the adult learners private cost of learning as; the cost of materials which is one of the critical components that constitutes the private cost of adult learning. There should also be adoption of multiple strategies for payment of private cost of adult learning, to allow adult learners who may be faced with financial burden.
