The Role of Out-of-School Education in Empowerment of Rural Adults in Etche Ethnic Nationality for Community Development

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the roles out-of-school education can play to enhance empowerment of different segments of rural adults in Etche ethnic nationality for community development. The educational history of Etche ethnic nationality reveals a disproportionate emphasis on formal/liberal education at the expense of out-of-school education, the resultant effect of which has been over production of school leavers without practical skills. Consequently, unemployment and poverty manifestations are high and relate to low levels of literacy and lack of vocational skills among the adults and youths. As a matter of fact, this situation demands intervention of out-of-school education which is capable of providing unlimited education opportunities for mobilizing the capacities of various sub-groups of people in Etche ethnic nationality towards rapid transformation of the communities. Based on literature account, this paper submits that out-of-school education has crucial roles to play, whether in providing literacy skills to those who were deprived of formal schooling; or in continuing the education of already literate persons; or still, in providing life and vocational skills to enable rural adults live improved life which can translate to community development. In conclusion, the paper calls for establishment of out-of-school/non-formal education development schemes by Etche and Omuma Local Government Councils to perform for out-of-school education what zonal Schools Board and Ministry of Education do for formal school in Etche ethnic nationality.