National Adult Education Survey. Interim Report.

Overview & Synopsis

A survey of the needs of the community in the matter of adult education was conducted, and the type of permanent organization that should be set up to serve those needs was determined. Questionnaires, explanatory letters, leaflets, meetings, advertisements, and interviews were used to obtain data. The definition of adult education used was: it is all the educational activity engaged in by people who have broken with full-time continuous education. The survey results are discussed under the following chapter headings: General Needs; Informal Adult Education; Formal Adult Education; The Function of Voluntary Organisations; Personnel; Buildings and Accommodation; Other Media; Structure; Research; and Finance. Seven appendixes present: Percentage Response from Various Groups Invited to Make Submissions; A Directory of Agencies and Voluntary Bodies Engaged Directly or Indirectly in Adult Education; Industrial Relations; University College Galway, Extra-Mural Programme; The Kellogg Extension Centre, UCD; The Adult Educator; and Submissions Received. Recommendations of this interim report, which is intended only as a guideline include these: that vocational teachers should engage in extension work; that teachers and community leaders should make personal contact with adults who need education; that the training of voluntary leaders is of the highest importance. (DB)