Educational Management Practices And Adult Learners’ Participation And Retention In Continuing Education Programmes In Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the role of educational management practices in adult learners’ participation and retention in continuing education programmes in Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the effects of educational planning, administrative leadership, instructional supervision, learner support services, and resource management practices on adult learners’ engagement and persistence. A descriptive survey research design was employed, targeting adult learners across selected continuing education centres in urban and semi-urban areas of Nigeria. The study population consisted of 2,000 adult learners, from which a sample of 300 respondents was drawn using stratified random sampling to ensure proportional representation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire named the Educational Management Practices and Adult Learners’ Participation Questionnaire (EMPALPQ), which was validated by three experts: two from the Educational Administration and Planning Unit in the Department of Educational Foundations, and one from the Department of Continuing Education and Development Studies, all within the Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Reliability was established through a pilot study with 30 adult learners, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.87. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and ranking, with a decision rule interpreting scores of 1.00–2.49 as “Disagree,” 2.50–3.49 as “Undecided,” and 3.50–5.00 as “Agree.” The findings indicated that adult learners perceive educational planning, administrative leadership, instructional supervision, learner support services, and resource management as critical factors influencing their participation and retention in continuing education programmes. The study concluded that effective management practices enhance learner engagement and programme completion, providing insights for policymakers, programme coordinators, and educational administrators to strengthen adult education outcomes in Nigeria.