An Investigation Into Strategies For Mobilising Resources Within The Adult Education Directorate In Otjozondjupa Region

ABSTRACT

The Education for All Action Plan (2002), Millennium Development Goal Report (2008), National Development Plan 4 (2012) and the Ministry of Education Strategic Plan (2012) acknowledge the need for resource mobilisation strategies to help finance adult education. Studies on Namibia resource mobilisation highlight the lack of infrastructural, financial and human resources in adult education but the studies do not mention strategies to mobilise these resources. Fourteen regions exist in Namibia and most of them show some improvements in terms of availability of resources in adult education, except for the Otjozondjupa region that has reportedly experienced a lack of resources and a lack of effective resource mobilisation strategies (Aitchison, 2012). The aim of this study was to investigate strategies for resource mobilisation in the Otjozondjupa region.

The study employed a qualitative approach because it presents research about people’s experiences, using techniques such as interviews and observations, and report findings mainly in words rather than statistics. The study followed a case study design as it helped to understand characteristics of a target population of 22 adult educationalists in the Directorate of Adult Education (DAE) in the Otjozondjupa region of Namibia. A purposeful sampling technique was used to draw the most experienced and knowledgeable staff, using an inventory to note the characteristics of respondents.

The findings of the study indicated that the DAE in the Otjozondjupa region has adhoc strategies in place for resource mobilisation. However, these strategies are not operative enough to bring about the required resources within the said region. The findings reveal that the DAE does not have approaches to resource mobilisation, with regard to which a policy is lacking.

The study recommends that the DAE in the Otjozondjupa region of Namibia laid a support structure by formulating a resource mobilisation policy. It also recommends that the government build coalitions with intergovernmental organisations and international financial institutions. It is recommended that the DAE develop innovative financial mechanisms such as green lotteries, auctions and business/public partnerships and also develop a holistic budget planning approach. Moreover, the DAE needs to convene a conference to bring all stakeholders together to discuss the matter of mobilising resources.

Key words: Adult Education; Resources; Mobilisation; Strategies; Resource Mobilisation; Resource Mobilisation Strategies