Project Abstract

Abstract
The agency for mass education plays a crucial role in promoting adult education by providing accessible learning opportunities for individuals beyond traditional schooling age. Adult education is essential for lifelong learning, skill development, and overall socio-economic development. The agency for mass education acts as a facilitator in identifying the educational needs of adults in various communities and tailoring programs to meet these needs effectively. Through partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, the agency for mass education creates a network of support to reach a diverse range of adult learners. By offering flexible learning options, such as evening classes, weekend workshops, and online courses, the agency ensures that adult learners can access education despite their work or family commitments. Moreover, the agency for mass education designs curriculum and learning materials that are relevant and engaging for adult learners. By incorporating real-life examples, practical skills training, and interactive learning methods, the agency enhances the overall learning experience for adults, making education more meaningful and applicable to their daily lives. In addition to providing educational opportunities, the agency for mass education also focuses on raising awareness about the importance of adult education in society. By organizing outreach programs, advocacy campaigns, and community events, the agency strives to change societal perceptions of adult learning and highlight its value in personal and professional growth. Furthermore, the agency for mass education plays a pivotal role in supporting marginalized and underserved populations in accessing adult education. By offering scholarships, subsidies, and financial assistance, the agency ensures that cost is not a barrier to learning for individuals with limited resources. Additionally, the agency collaborates with local authorities and community leaders to address social barriers, such as cultural norms or gender biases, that may hinder adult education participation. Overall, the agency for mass education serves as a catalyst for promoting adult education by creating a conducive learning environment, fostering community partnerships, and advocating for the importance of lifelong learning. Through its initiatives, the agency empowers adults to enhance their skills, pursue personal interests, and contribute to the overall development of society.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The origin of mass education in the north started in the late 1940s to early 1950s when the first bold step was taken with the establishment of the Northern Regional literacy Agency (NORLA) with head quarters in Zaria. The main objectives of the Agency was to raise the literacy level of northern Nigeria populace, hence it started with a vigorous campaign against illiteracy (YakidaJaluki).

The Agency served as a resources center for planning and material development. It received active support and cooperation of the regional government under the late premier, Alhaji sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto who was personally in the fore front of the campaigners. He was doggedly followed by his ministers, the provincial commissioners, together with the Emirs, and chiefs.

As part of the activities of the Northern Regional literacy Agency (NORLA), it trained selected personnel as public enlightenment campaigners and posted them to various strategic locations all over the region. It also established basic literacy and material resources such as the primers for the delivery of adult literacy in the defunct northern Nigeria (Yahaya 1994 p.19).

However, the 1976 states creation, gave rise to the breaking down of the former northern Nigeria in to six states as Northwestern, north central, Northeastern, Benue, plateau, Kano and kwara, and this resulted to the fall in the activities of NORLA. Adult education was relegated to the background in favor of universal primary Education (UPE) at unbelievable colossal sums of money with little achievement *(Yahaya 1994 p.19). In 1976 the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) government with its philosophy of redemption in Kano state acted as a messiah.

After studying the lapses and crime committed against adult literacy, the new government appointed a high powered committee to work out the system to redeem adult education as a whole from the near total collapse it suffered. It was realized than that, in order to succeed, adult education programmes must be rescued from the lethargic nature of local governments and steep bureaucracies of the ministries which gave it little attention.