Factors affecting Adult Learners enrolment in Open Distance Programme in Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated factors affecting adult learner’s enrolment in open distance learning programmes in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised adult learners participating in distance learning programmes in the metropolis. 105 adult learners were purposively selected through simple random sampling technique. A researcher’s self-developed questionnaire on “Factors affecting adult Learner’s enrolment in Open Distance learning” was used for data collection while the data collection while the data collected from respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics together with percentages, mean, mode and frequencies and the reliability of 0.82 was obtained which made the questionnaire reliable enough for the study. Data were analyzed using simple percentages, mean, mode and SPSS. Findings revealed that economic factors (cost of the programme, loan facilities, and cost effectiveness of the programme), learner’ characteristic, availability of learning materials (text books, library, conductive and classroom), and affordability of the programme (cost effectiveness, cost of the programme and availability of government funds) are the major factors motivating adult learners to enroll in distance learning programme in the metropolis. The study recommended that provision of learner’s support services (trained lecturer, qualified counsellors and the support staff) should be made available and that provision of learning materials, provision of soft loans, with lower interest rate should be available for the interest of adult learners in the programme to sustained learners’ interest in the programme. Keywords: Adult learner, enrolment, open distance learning and Ilorin Metropolis