The inclusion of indigenous knowledge into adult education programs: Implications for sustainable development

Abstract

In this age of information exchange, where nations’ multiculturalism is prominent, developing a positive attitude towards local people’s knowledge and wisdom regardless of gender, faith, age, and other social class is prominent. This is because countries need to have a diverse population that embraces diverse indigenous knowledge systems and practices to be successful in their overall development activities. Indigenous knowledge is the basis of any form of education in which beautiful social connections and communication, as well as manifestation of everyday life, are established. It is known that indigenous knowledge needs to be developed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate how indigenous knowledge systems and practices are integrated into adult education programs to bring about sustainable social development. It has been found that several indigenous knowledge systems and practices have made a great contribution to establishing indigenous education, which in turn supports area development. Therefore, it can be concluded that the inclusion of indigenous knowledge into adult education programs, has to grow for it to become a developmental policy agenda and intervention.

Keywords:

• Adult education
• indigenous knowledge
• sustainable development

Glossary (definition of terms)

Tsebel: (translated as Holy Water) is the site where baptism or spiritual cleansing services are offered by priests for Orthodox Christians in which believers survive from psychological, mental and physical illness; Abba gar: A traditional conflict resolution and reconciliation institution found in round of Habru, Merssa areas of NW zone; Zeweld: A traditional conflict resolution and reconciliation institution found in round of Raya kobo areas of NW zone; Sheh lega: A traditional conflict resolution and reconciliation institution found in round of Gubba Lafto areas of NW zone.

Acknowledgments

We thank Noth Wollo zone culture and tourism department and especially, Kesis Habtu Molla who is an expert of tourism sites development at the department for their sound facilitation and unresearved support during this study data collection

Disclosure statement

The authors disclosed that there is no potential conflict of interest in this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Woldia University [grant number WU/RD/245714] and from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University project number [PSAU/2023/R/1444].

Notes on contributors

Bekalu Tadesse Moges

Bekalu Tadesse Moges is an Assistant Professor of Educational Research and Development at Department of Pedagogical Science, Woldia University, Ethiopia. Currently, he is a doctoral student of Educational Policy and Leadership at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. His research interest includes quality education, technologies in education, educational research, educational policy and leadership.

Yalalem Assefa

Yalalem Assefa is an Assistant Professor of Adult Education and Community Development at Department of Adult Education and Community Development, Woldia University, Ethiopia. Currently, he is a doctoral student of Educational Policy and Leadership at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. His research interest includes adult education, lifelong learning, indigenous knowledge and wisdom, educational policy and leadership, and educational technology.

Shouket Ahmad Tilwani

Shouket Ahmad Tilwani is an Assistant Professor, Department of English, College of Science and Humanities, Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia. His research interest includes English Literature, World Literature, New Literatures in English, Postcolonial Literature, Contemporary Literature, Oriental Literature, Discourse Analysis.

Samuel Zinabu Desta

Samuel Zinabu Desta is a Lecturer at Department of Adult Education and Community Development, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Mohd Asif Shah

Mohd Asif Shah is an Adjunct Faculty at the University Center for Research and Development, University school of Business, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India. As well, Division of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144001, India.