Challenges and Coping Strategies of Adult Learners in Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of University of Cape Coast in Ghana

Abstract

<p>The study examined challenges adult learners in the University of Cape Coast face and the strategies they adopt in coping with these challenges. The case study research design was used and involved 18 respondents who were selected through purposive sampling technique. The hermeneutic method was used to analyze the data. The findings show that ICT and library are indispensable learning resources but adult learners have difficulty with their usage. Adult learners fail to avail themselves of counseling services on campus. It is recommended that ICT education should be intensified for these learners. Adult learners should be separated from the younger ones during ICT lessons in order to serve their special needs in the use of this resource. The wireless internet service should be active all the time and should be expanded to serve all halls and nearby hostels of the university.</p>

An Assessment of the Challenges of Student Nursing Mothers of St. Ambrose College of Education in Ghana

“…However, fewer studies have looked into challenges of students in the teacher training colleges, especially those in Ghana. In Ghana, Adofo (2013) looked at the challenges of nursing mothers but her focus was on tertiary institutions in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana [5]. More so, Amos, Amoako, Antwi, and Amoah (2021) looked at motherhood and higher education in University of Education-Winneba using the descriptive phenomenological design [8].…”

“…All of this has an impact on their learning and accomplishment [6]. Smith (2019) as found in Adofo (2013), on the other hand, discovered that financial concerns had a negative impact on both pregnant and nursing students' aca-demics in a study [5]. Students briefly escaped from various educational activities or programmes such as lectures to raise finances and/or other required materials when financial resources were insufficient to support them.…”

“…It includes altering one's own expectations. 3) Type III coping (reactive role behaviour) comprises seeking to boost role performance while making no attempt to alter the structural or personal definition of one's roles [5]. On the other hand, Najjuma & Kyarugahe (2006) discovered that some mothers either carry their children with them or hire domestic help to assist them [15].…”

“…However, it can also provide unique personal and interpersonal obstacles, leading to stress and interfering with academic or skill acquisition goals. Milner-Home, Power, and Dennis (1996) as cited in Adofo (2013) support this by stating that the conventional image of a mother is one of self-sacrifice [5]. If treated as such, the nursing mother is likely to become exhausted as she juggles her education and her parental responsibilities.…”

“…This has made a significant contribution to the country's increased educational access. Adofo (2013) who looked at challenges of student nursing mothers in tertiary schools in the Greater Accra Region highlights the incapacities of Ghanaian post-secondary institutions concerning provision of special policies to help mitigate the challenges of student nursing mothers [5]. Though Adofo mentions the fact that special tutorial sessions are organized for these student nursing mothers, there is no mention of an on-campus day care centers and breastfeeding rooms which were actually recommendations from his respondents.…”