ERIC Number: EJ1218326
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-May
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0741-7136
EISSN: N/A
Insights on the Benefits and Challenges of the Skills Development Program at Kgalagadi South Subdistrict of Botswana: Beneficiaries' Experiences
Oats, Reginald; Gumbo, Meshack T.
Adult Education Quarterly: A Journal of Research and Theory, v69 n2 p83-100 May 2019
A fit-for-purpose, functional program is the vehicle that guarantees the relevance of an education system by ensuring the sustainability of the society. Failure of a program to be relevant has the potential to cause crisis in a society. This basic qualitative research study explored the experiences of the beneficiaries of a skills development program (SDP) in the rural Kgalagadi south subdistrict of Botswana with specific reference to the benefits and challenges of the program and its potential to improve their livelihoods. Twelve beneficiaries (program participants) of the SDP and their four trainers were purposively selected and interviewed. Data were also collected through observation. The findings indicated that the participants benefited from the SDP training in terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies that they had acquired. As such, they now could make good quality products. The findings also showed that the beneficiaries faced certain challenges with the SDP, especially the lack of financial muscle to sponsor their products. With the necessary improvements, the SDP promises to improve the livelihoods of those who undergo the training in the Kgalagadi south rural communities. This study sheds new insights on the benefits and challenges of the SDP, and this can help decision-makers and funders (Botswana government in particular) in the review of the program.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Educational Benefits, Skill Development, Rural Areas, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Community Education, Rural Education, Employment, Literacy Education, Poverty Programs, Andragogy, Sustainability, Improvement Programs
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Botswana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A