A Brief History of the Department of Adult Education
     
 
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1949-1964
According to Akinpelu and Osuji (1989) and corroborated by Omolewa (1981), the Department of Extra Mural Studies now known as the Department of Adult Education owed its existence to both Elliot and Ashby Commissions that recommended the establishment of Extra Mural Studies in the universities to be set up in the then British Colony in West Africahe Department of Adult Education started off with 12 inherited classes from the Oxford University Extra Mural Delicacy in 1949, a year after the establishment of the University College, Ibadan, of which it was a constituent. .
 
It had a set of objectives for translating the Elliot version of Adult Education into program. The program of the Extra Mural Department which involved lecture. Lecture, Department and IT room
These various seminar and discussion classes organized around topics of academic and cultural interests went a long way into selling the University to the larger society.program made the national consciousness its major preoccupation as from about the mid-fifties in preparation for national independence (1960-1962). The immediate post independence period were very momentous for the Department of Extra Mural Studies with many issues in sequence of active debate arising from financial incapacity and government bureaucracy. This period also witnessed the integration of the Department into the newly established Faculty of Education. Development during this period pushed up the academic orientation of Adult Education.
   
1965 to date  

This period in the history of the Department of the then Extra-mural Studies (EMS) witnessed the change in the name to the present Department of Adult Education. The period above witnessed the creation of Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development program to produce middle level manpower. The Certificate in Trade unionism and Industrial Relations had its first intake of students in October, 1970 and by March 1971, the Bachelor in Education (Ed.) With Adult Education had been approved by the Senate of the university, and to commence admission of students the same year. Five students completed the program and graduated in 1974. Before the graduation of these students, a 2-year M.Ed. degree in Adult Education had been approved by the Senate for the Department. In 1978, a revised 1-year M.Ed. was substituted for the earlier 2-year program and the M.Phil. and Ph.D. were added to make up a full complement of internal teaching program. The mentioned program and activities continue till today, in better form and quality.

  
   
THE FUTURE  

In the words of Omolewa (1989), the future belongs to God but the various academic and outreach program portray our Department as a beehive of activities. The Department multi various and dynamic activities are acknowledged throughout the world. Our Department has assisted the University from its “ivory towerism” through extension programs, teaching, and community services. Despite these achievements, the Department is still determined to forge ahead in the introduction of new and challenging programs to meet the needs of the public. The activities of University Village Association (UNIVA) and the proposed Center for Literacy Training and Development Program for Africa (CLTDPA) and Social Work units are good examples. Needless to say that various exchange programs with universities in Africa, Europe and America will be intensified and expanded. Our collaboration with international agencies such as UNICEF, World Bank, UNESCO, British Council, to mention but a few, will also be enhanced, while we continue to play the role of a ‘big brother’ to the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the areas of Adult Education and Community Development.

  
     
Faculty of Education | University of Ibadan | Adult Education | Experts in Higher Education | Staff | Thesis | Home
  
 
© 2002 Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.