Article Sidebar

Submitted
March 2, 2023
Accepted
May 29, 2023
Published
July 11, 2023
Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 329 Download : 84

Main Article Content

Abstract

The study of adult participation in education and the examination of the factors that influence their final decision is one of the most critical issues in the field. This article summarises the findings of empirical research on adult engagement in evening schools in Greece, with an emphasis on evening schools in the Greek islands. Evening schools started in Greece around 60 years ago. These schools, now part of the secondary education system, are primarily aimed towards those who work during the day (mostly adults). Their goal is to provide the opportunity for adults who, for some reason, interrupted their studies in Gymnasium (lower secondary/middle school) or Lyceum (upper secondary/high school) to complete it. There has never been a study on residents of Greek islands who participate in educational programmes of this nature. The presented research investigates factors that impact adult participation in all evening schools administratively situated in Greek islands. Between February and May 2022, 268 adult students participated in the study by completing a survey questionnaire that was quantitatively evaluated using SPSSs. The sample comes from all the islands where evening Lyceums operate. To determine the elements that influence participation, the data was submitted to component analysis using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach. Four of the discovered factors are deemed critical (self-assessment, attitudes towards education, educational perspective and expectations), while others seem somewhat relevant and have a role.


 

Keywords

adult participation evening schools Greek islands quantitative research principal component analysis adult participation evening schools Greek islands quantitative research principal component analysis

Article Details

License

TCE (INSTED) is an open access journal, which means that access to the full texts is free of charge. People using the journal may download publications, copy and print them, as well as post on their websites links to the full texts of the journal's publications. Texts can be used as long as readers do not exceed the licenses. Authors submitting manuscripts for publication obtain copyrights. Unless otherwise specified, published texts are available under the Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike 4.0 International license.

How to Cite
Papadimitriou, A. (2023). Adult Participation in Evening Secondary Schools: The Findings of Empirical Research in the Greek Islands. INSTED: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education & Society, 25(1(93), 9–32. https://doi.org/10.34862/tce/2023/06/18/mt-nk10
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. Abdullah, M., Parasuraman, B., Muniapan, B., Koren, S., & Jones, M. (2008). Motivating factors associated with adult participation in distance learning program. International Education Studies, 1(4), 104-109. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v1n4p104
  2. Apt, P. H. (1978). Adult learners and higher education: Factors influencing participation or non-participation decisions. Alternative Higher Education, 3(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01080646
  3. Aslanian,, C. B. ,Brickell, H. M. (1980). Americans in transition: Life changes as reason for adult learning. College Entrance Examination Board.
  4. Ball, M. J. (2002). Engaging non-participants in formal education: Considering a contribution from trade union education. Studies in Continuing Education, 24(2), 117-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037022000020947
  5. Bariso, E. U. (2008). Factors affecting participation in adult education: a case study of participation in Hackney and Waltham Forest, London. Studies in the Education of Adults, 40(1), 110-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/02660830.2008.11661559
  6. Beder, H. (1990). Reaching ABE students: Lessons from the Iowa Studies. Adult Literacy and Basic Education, 14(1), 1-17.
  7. Blunt, A., & Yang, B. (2002). Factor structure of the adult attitudes toward adult and continuing education scale and its capacity to predict participation behaviour: Evidence for the adoption of a revised scale. Adult Education Quarterly, 52(4), 299-314. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171302400448627
  8. Boshier, R. (1973). Educational participation and dropout: A theoretical model. Adult Education Quarterly, 23(4), 255-282. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171367302300401
  9. Cross, K. P. (1981). Adults as learners: Increasing Participation and Facilitating Learning. Jossey-Bass.
  10. Dollisso, A. D., & Martin A. R. (1999). Perceptions regarding adult learners’ motivation to participate in educational programs. Journal of Agricultural Education, 40(4), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.1999.04038
  11. ELSTAT (2023). Statistics for secondary schools. https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics/-/publication/SED23/-
  12. Goulas, X., Fotopoulos, N., & Fatourou, P. (2022). Adults and lifelong learning programs in the time of the pandemic: the challenge of digital skills. KANEP GSEE. (published in Greek)
  13. Houle, C.O. (1961). The inquiring mind. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
  14. Karalis, Th. (2013). Motivations and barriers to adult participation in lifelong learning. INE GSEE. (published in Greek)
  15. Kelpanidis, M. (1999). Methodology of pedagogical research with statistics data. Kodikas. (published in Greek)
  16. Law 4547/Government Gazette A' 102/12.06.2018. Reorganization of primary and secondary education support structures and other provisions. (published in Greek)
  17. Legislative Decree 4379/ Government Gazette A' 182/24.10.1964. On the organization and administration of General Elementary and Secondary Education. (published in Greek)
  18. Litwin, M. S. (1995). How to measure survey reliability and validity. Sage. https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483348957
  19. Mandatory Law 250/ Government Gazette. A' 460/17-10-1936. On the amendment and completion of educational laws. (published in Greek)
  20. McGivney, V. (1993). Participation and non-participation: A review of the literature. In R. Edwards, S. Sieminski & D. Zeldin (Eds.), Adult learners, education and training (pp: 11-30). Routledge/Open University.
  21. McGivney, V. (2003). Adult learning pathways: through-routes or cul-de-sacs. NIACE.
  22. Miller, H. L. (1967). Participation of adults in education: A force - field analysis. Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults/Boston University.
  23. Norland, E. (1992). Why adults participate: Convenience, reputation and self-improvement count. Journal of Extension, 30, 12-13.
  24. Papadimitriou, A. (2019). The participation of adults in education: The case of Evening General Lyceums in Greece. Graphima. (published in Greek)
  25. Rizou, Ch. (2004). Evening education in Greece: Historical development and clarification of the role of the Evening Junior High School in the modern reality [Unpublished doctoral thesis]. University of Crete, Rethymnon. (published in Greek)
  26. Rubenson, K. (1977). Participation in recurrent education: A research review [Paper presentation] Meeting of National Delegates on Developments in Recurrent Education. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
  27. Rubenson, K. (1979). Recruitment to adult education in the Nordic Countries – Research and outstanding activities. Stockholm Institute of Education.
  28. Stamovlasis, D. (2016). Educational research methodology with statistics data. Zygos. (published in Greek)
  29. Sundet, P. A., & Galbraith, M. W. (1991). Adult education as a response to the rural crisis: Factors governing utility and participation. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 7(2), 41-49.
  30. Tough, A. (1979). Choosing to learn. In G. M. Healy & W. L. Ziegler (Eds.), The learning stance: Essays in celebration of human learning. National Institute of Education.
  31. Zarifis, G. K. (2010). Adult participation in educational activities in Greece: Research of the factors of participation in Adult Education Centers (CEA) of the territory. Graphima. (published in Greek
  32. Zarifis, G. K. (2011). Adult participation in educational activities: Critical appraisal of the main research and theoretical approaches. Educational Sciences, (3), 21-48. (published in Greek)