Contribution of municipalities to adult education: İSMEK case

Abstract

This study investigated the pedagogical, administrative, and financial functioning of İSMEK. Interviews, official database and document reviews and observations were conducted for thestudy. Administrative center of İSMEK, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Education Office and three socio-economically different İSMEK course centers were the sample for interviews and observation. In the Administrative Center of İSMEK, General Coordinator, four associate coordinators and the six department managers, and two administrators in İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality who are responsible with İSMEK were interviewed. Also in each center the administrator of the center, two teachers, and three students were interviewed. Intotal 31 people were interviewed. Study indicated the main factors that directs municipalitiesto serve adult education activities are 1) changes in the city structures mainly by rapidincrease in the populations of cities and need to adaptation to urban life, 2) completion of basic infrastructure services at a certain level, 3) the lack of central government provision inadult education, and lastly 4) the change in the conception of education by the process ofprivatization and decentralization. Study revealed that women, especially housewives, that areout of labor market consists of the main target group of İSMEK in the first years of institution. Also İSMEK activities are seen as a bridge between municipality and people in thecity by municipality administration. This study examines İSMEK̕s administrative andfinancial structure, the characteristics of the İSMEK course buildings, educational materials, courses, staff and students. Lastly, the types of contributions aimed by İSMEK on social, economical, cultural and psychological development of participants and areas of deficiency of İSMEK are discussed.