Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a critical thinking intervention (CTI) on stress management among undergraduates of adult education and extramural studies programs. Method: A total of 44 undergraduates were randomly sorted into experimental and waitlist control groups. We used the Perceived Stress Scale for data collection at the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. We used unpaired t and paired t- tests to analyze the data collected. SPSS version 22.0 was used for the data analyses (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: It was shown that the CTI was effective in reducing the mean stress of the participants compared to the control group both in the post-test ( t [42] = −22.453, P < .001) and follow-up periods ( t [42] = −34.292, P < .001). There were statistically significant changes in the mean stress of participants in the experimental group from the pre-test to post-test phases ( t [23] = 26.30, P = .000, r = .08], and from pre-test to follow-up( t [23] = 37.10, P = .000, r = .30). The mean stress of the participants in the experimental group from post-test to follow-up signified the sustained positive influence of the CTI on the mean stress ( t [23] = 2.41, P = .000, r = .46) of the undergraduates. Conclusion: This study adds to the literature by showing that a CTI is a valuable strategy for stress reduction in a university environment. Given that the CTI demonstrated the ability to reduce stress among undergraduates enrolled in adult education and extramural studies programs, we hope that similar interventions will be adopted to manage and prevent stress among students in other departments and disciplines.

Background: Extensive review of literature showed that no available study in Nigeria has explored the impact of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on the management of occupational stress among open and distance learning (ODL) centers science and social science education facilitators. Thus, this study determined the impacts of CBT on the management of occupational stress among science and social science education facilitators in ODL centers in South-South Nigeria. Methods: A randomized controlled trial experimental design was adopted for the study with a sample size of 68 science and social science education facilitators in ODL centers in South-South states, Nigeria. Perceived stress scale (PSS) and Occupational stress index (OSI) were used for data collection. Using Cronbach alpha method, internal consistency reliability indices of 0.81 and 0.85 for PSS and OSI respectively were obtained in the Nigerian context. A 12-week cognitive behavior therapy intervention was conducted after which the participants in both the intervention group and the non-intervention group were administered posttest, while a follow-up assessment was administered after 2 months. Data collected were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance for the within-groups and between-groups effects. Results: It was found that CBT intervention led to a significant decrease in the occupational stress among science and social science education facilitators in ODL in the South-South region of Nigeria. Conclusion: Cognitive behavior therapy is effective in the management of occupational stress among science and social science education facilitators in distance learning centers.

Partnership is an approach used for effective human and material resources provision among agencies and partners based on democratic principles of understanding in pursuit of a common goal. Adult education programmes are provided by the government, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donor agencies. Yet adult education seems to suffer from a dearth of human and material resources due to a loose partnership framework among government NGOs and donor agencies. Hence the need to provide a benchmark for partnership among government, NGOs and donor agencies in the provision of human and material resources. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the instrument was administered to 3202 subjects consisting of sixty-two proprietors of NGOs adult education centres, five directors of state agencies of mass literacy adult and Non-formal education, fifteen coordinators of donor agencies and 3120 adult education instructors. The data was presented using frequencies, percentages, means, standard derivations and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study revealed that NGOs have to submit quarterly the record of their staff strength to state agencies for mass literacy adult and non-formal education for resource planning and that development of materials in multi-language can be achieved through collaborated efforts of stakeholders. Thus, the study recommended, among others, that state agencies for mass literacy, adult and non-formal education, NGOs and donor agencies should cooperate to organize conferences for capacity development and instructors and development material in multi-language for adult learners.

This study examined the role of local government in community development in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 420 people participated in the study. The study sample of 420 persons comprised 220 community development officers selected from the study area and 200 adult educators randomly selected from Enugu State. The entire population of the study was used due to the size. A 21-item structured questionnaire developed by the researchers was used as the instrument for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The study revealed that the budget allocation sent by the government to the responsible departments in the local government is not always received as and when due for the effective implementation of community development projects. It was concluded that a higher monitoring authority should be set aside to monitor and supervise the existence of checks and balances between the regulations of the local government areas.

The study investigated the impact of Information and Communication Technology on acquiring the literacy skills among adults outside the classroom in Nsukka urban. It sought to discuss the roles ICT plays in developing the literacy skills among adults. The study was anchored on the Piaget’s Constructivist Theory of Learning. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Using the Random Sampling Technique, one hundred participants were selected for the study. A twelve-item structured interview was developed and administered to these participants directly. The data were analyzed quantitatively using the frequency count and percentage method, duly represented in figures. The results showed that ICT plays a vital role in enabling adults who skipped being taught the skills of reading and writing formally in a conventional classroom and those with reading and writing difficulties acquire and develop these skills. The study suggested that adults should self-educate themselves by constantly using ICT facilities.