Students’ Perceptions on the Newly Established Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Adult Education and Community Development (BAECD)

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) by exploring perceptions of the first intake students that were studying the newly established bachelor’s degree programme in adult education and community development (BAECD). The study questions focused on the following aspects: students’ choice and interest for the programme; programme’s contribution to students’ career development; merging of adult education and community development fields of study in the programme; and students’ recommendations on improving the programme. Descriptive research strategy was used through mixed research approach (qualitative and quantitative research approaches).
A sample of 35 students out of 80 class members participated in the study. Five (5) were student leaders purposively selected and 30
were voluntary study participants. Interview and questionnaire data collection methods were used to gather data from student leaders and other participants, respectively. Findings revealed that BAECD students are fond of their programme to the extent that they would not have opted for another degree programme at IAE even if they were given an opportunity to do so today. Most (87%) student support merging of the two fields of adult education and community development in the established programme because the fields are closely related and the programme will produce multi-skilled professionals with wider career opportunities. The paper concludes that students’ perceptions on their choice of the programme and interest prove beyond doubt that the programme adds value to their career development and hence, establishment of BAECD programme by IAE was the right decision. The study recommends that similar studies should be conducted regularly to get insights from students regarding the programme.