THE IMPACT OF NTFONJENI RURAL EDUCATION CENTRE’S ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION PROGRAMME ON PROMOTION OF SELF-RELIANCE AMONG GRADUATES

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of Ntfonjeni Rural Education Centre’s (REC) electrical installation programme on promotion of self-reliance among out-of-school youth and adults in Eswatini, Hhohho Region. The objectives of the study were to: establish whether the electrical installation programme objectives were met, determine the electrical installation programme activities undertaken by graduates; and determine the engagement with learning by graduates in promoting self-reliance as a result of the electrical installation programme offered at Ntfonjeni REC. This was a small-scale study that used the evaluation research design with qualitative research methods. Data were collected using interviews, observation, and documents. Participants were graduates from the electrical installation programme, electrical installation instructor and community members that were chosen using convenient, purposive, and snowballing sampling techniques, respectively. Seventeen participants were individually interviewed using structured interviews. Data were analyzed qualitatively through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the goal of the electrical installation programme of promoting self-reliance among its graduates was partially met. The findings indicated that the electrical installation programme improved the livelihood skills of the graduates and changed their behaviour and the community members’ mind-set. The graduates showed some features of self-reliance such as becoming financially independent. The study recommended the upgrading of the electrical programme into Grade 1 Grade Testing Level in order to enable its graduates to be employable by big companies and that the Ministry of Education and Training should allocate more funding to enable graduates to start income-generation projects.