Effectiveness of the integrated functional adult education program: Insights on the management process in Southern Ethiopia

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the integrated functional adult education program implementation in Southern Ethiopia. Using a nested mixed-method research design, data were collected from 194 trainers, eight zonal sector heads, and three zonal adult education experts. Results revealed that the program was moderately effective and highly relevant as it enhanced trainees' socioeconomic development. Factors that significantly predicted effective program implementation were: number of trainees enrolled in the program, effective planning, monitoring, and evaluation, and stakeholder participation. Other issues that hindered effective implementation were a lack of collaboration among the eight sectors and other partners and a lack of training plans for trainers. In conclusion, recruiting adult learners and creating awareness about the program's benefits is critical for the success of adult lifelong-learning programs. Further, sectors tasked with implementing the program ought to work collaboratively; plan, monitor, and evaluate program activities, and ensure adult education programs align with the learners' needs and interests. Besides, planners should consider current changes that affect socioeconomic development initiatives and consequently the livelihoods of many adult learners.