Strategies for Motivating Learners to Complete the General Education and Training Certificate Level 1 in South Africa

Abstract

The general education and training certificate: adult basic education and training provides learners with foundational learning through the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed for social and economic development and the promotion of justice and equality. However, national statistics show that the number of learners who enroll for the programme exceeds those who complete it. The qualitative study was conducted to explore strategies that can be used to motivate adult learners to complete the GETC: ABET. Interactive individual and focus interviews (=35) led to findings indicating that interventions used by teachers to encourage learners to complete their studies, and support given, minimise, or eliminate barriers against completing the programme. Thereupon, the Department of Higher Education and Training has an opportunity to strengthen the teachers' stratagems in ensuring that more learners complete the programme. Accordingly, this chapter proposes strategies found to be essential in this study, for consideration by community colleges.