Adult & Basic Education
Adult education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained learning activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. It can mean any form of learning adults engage in beyond traditional schooling, encompassing basic literacy to personal fulfillment as a lifelong learner. In particular, adult education reflects a specific philosophy about learning and teaching based on the assumption that adults can and want to learn, that they are able and willing to take responsibility for that learning, and that the learning itself should respond to their needs.
Driven by what one needs or wants to learn, the available opportunities, and the manner in which one learns, adult learning is affected by demographics, globalization and technology. The learning happens in many ways and in many contexts just as all adults’ lives differ.
Adult learning can be in any of the three contexts i.e.
- Formal – Structured learning that typically takes place in an education or training institution, usually with a set curriculum and carries credentials,
- Non-formal – Learning that is organized by educational institutions but non credential. Non-formal learning opportunities may be provided in the workplace and through the activities of civil society organizations and groups,
- Informal education-Learning that goes on all the time, resulting from daily life activities related to work, family, community or leisure (e.g. community baking class)
FRIEND is a member of Asia South Pacific Association for Adult and Basic Education
Skills Workshops
These workshops are aimed at learning of craft work that may be utilized for potential income generation projects by the beneficiaries. These range from coconut crafting, paper making, mirror making, candle making, weaving, macramé and tapa making. The beneficiaries are able to apply the learnings of the skills trainings to start up craft projects that they are able to exchange and sell in their communities.
Education Scholarships
FRIEND has supported thousands of Fiji students from underprivileged families between 2001 to 2012 with tuition fees for primary and secondary school education through the SAHARA Scholarship Fund. The program worked through schools to cover for a portion of tuition fees to assist families in need pay their dues for their children’s education. The families were screened closely in liaison with school authorities and community leaders.
The fund was supported through private donations by individuals, organisations and corporates. The scheme was halted with the announcement of Free Primary & Secondary Education for all in 2013.
