Abstract
M.Ed.
The Limpopo Education Department, heeding the call of national policies and acts to implement adult basic education and training (ABET) programmes, established several ABET centres, now called Public Adult Learning Centres. In the year 2000, there were 17 such centres in the Polokwane District, but sadly this number dwindled to six in 2001. Mostly this resulted from the withdrawal of adult learners from these centres. This inquiry was conducted in order to establish the reasons for the withdrawal of adult learners at a particular centre in the Polokwane District. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents who served as information rich cases. Semi-structured focus group interviews were used to collect data. The interviews were audio taped and then transcribed. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used: categories were constructed by comparing units of data and recurring themes from the data. The following categories served as the findings of this research: their needs were not addressed, classes clashed with traditional events and traditional roles and uncertainty as to whether provider was serious about the classes. Respondents believed that withdrawals occurred because the need to improve their lives was ignored; they expressed the view that there was a dire need for skills training at the centre. It emerged that the provider did not do a thorough needs analysis. Literacy programmes were offered, but the perceived need was for skills and projects which would develop the learners. Learners were also recruited into the programmes on the understanding that they would later receive skills training. When this did not materialise, some withdrew. Finally, the Limpopo Department of Education closed this centre on a number of occasions without any reason given to the learners. This discouraged the learners, and some withdrew because they viewed learning as a non-important task.