Abstract
M.Ed.
The inquiry focused on the relevance of ABET curriculum for community development in Tembisa/KemptonPark area. What motivated this investigation is the high rate of illiteracy and unemployment in the communities in this area. Lack of knowledge or skills turned them into victims of merciless thugs, who take advantage of their inability. In this inquiry, a qualitative research method is followed to investigate events, processes and the structure of the social phenomena. Interviews with sixteen learners and observations of classroom interaction among learners and their educators were found to be the most effective qualitative data collection methods to study the people within these settings holistically. During the investigation, sixteen adult learners, four from each of the four
centres, Thuto-Ke-Maatla, Kwazini, Norkem Park and 1pontshe were interviewed to determine their motivation to enrol in ABET centres and their initial expectation. The findings of the inquiry determined that the adult learners' needs are not being met through programmes offered in ABET centres. Structural setting, organisation and provisioning were some of the factors contributing to the failure of ABET centres to satisfy the needs of adult learners and empowering them. The investigation helped to uproot the underlying limitations in the ABET curriculum activities. Its findings could guide curriculum developers with correct principles during adult curriculum design.