An Investigation of the Practice of Functional Adult Literacy in Benishangul Gumuz
This study investigated the practice of Integrated Functional Adult Literacy in Benishangul Gumuz region particularly in Metekel Zone. The purpose of this study was to investigate on the practice of the current status of learners in acquiring numeric and literacy skill based on integrated functional skillsframework. Subsequently, it looked at students’ knowledge of numeracy and literacy skill in accordance with ESDP IV (Education Sector Development Program) and MoE (Ministry of Education)2008 integrated functional adult education conceptual framework. To select target population for the study, cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used. Stratified sampling technique was also employed in order to select target population proportionally from clustered Woredas (Politically marked areas under Zone). To answer the research questions qualitative and quantitative data were employed. Questionnaire, interviews and testing were used to collect data. Questionnaire and testing were used to answer research question 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, research question 1 and 2 demands quantitative data whereas research question 3 needs qualitative data. According to the data obtained from teacher there is variation in responding to items for all Woredas. The data indicated that learners are good at numeric and literacy skill. However, they were not used numbers and texts for daily functions. The result obtained from testing also contradicted with opinion obtained from teachers. Teachers believe that learners attend their learning based on the IFAL (Integrated Functional Adult Literacy) conceptual frame work. Students, however, were not properly able to answer questions prepared to test different skills. Data obtained through interview confirmed that the variability was attributed to teachers’ personal feeling about using numbers and texts for daily life. Concerning teachers knowledge of the conceptual understanding how IFAL need to be taught there is still variability of r
