The article reports on the evaluation of two programmes – Computer Literacy and Civic Development offered by a government agency (KEMAS) to rural communities, in addition to discussing the goals and challenges of adult education in Malaysia. The evaluation makes out some suggestions for the government agencies, private sector, NGOs and the wider community to work together in order to support adult learning especially in the rural areas and also recommends for a comprehensive assessment to be conducted by KEMAS in order to keep up with the current demands.
As a developing country, Malaysia grapples with the task of building its economies to achieve sustainable development and to improve the quality of life of its people. There is a growing recognition that the education of the adult population is essential to sustain economic growth and development. As a country that has developed tremendously for the past two decades, Malaysia has become an example and is often cited by economic analysts and developmental planners as a model of a developing country. To continue to become fully developed, Malaysia needs a labour force that is well educated, dynamic and skilled.
