The training of adult education personnel in Botswana

Abstract

The article provides a case study from Africa on the issues involved in training adult education personnel. It describes the social and organisational context of adult education in Botswana as the background to a discussion of training needs. A quantification of full-time adult education posts is presented to give an indication of the scope of these needs. The provision of training is then analysed in terms of four different types — initial, middle-level, advanced and inservice. The need for more systematisation and co-ordination is identified and a central role for the University is suggested. The content and methods of training are considered and the central question of the impact of training raised. It is argued that the effectiveness of training must be assessed by a three dimensional analysis which situates the personal competence of the adult educator within an organisational and socio-economic context. Finally, research and evaluation are advocated as essential in two respects. Firstly, in order to develop the knowledge-base about the theory and practice of adult education in Botswana on which to provide the content of courses. Secondly, in order to analyse the training programmes themselves. The article concludes by suggesting a framework for the future development of training for adult educators in Botswana.