Investigating the determinants of adults� participation in higher education

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of adult learners� participation in higher education in a lifelong learning environment. The author argues that the determinants of adult learners� participation in higher education include individual demands, state and institutional policy objectives and industry-driven demands rather than demographic factors in the Ghanaian context. Framed along an interpretive paradigm, the study sought to examine the underlying principle for adult learners� participation in higher education in Ghana and juxtaposing their views with those of policy-makers and managers of higher education institutions. Using an explanatory research design and a mixed method of gathering and analysing data from respondents in two structurally diverse universities, the study concludes that industry-driven factors play important role in the decisions of adult learners to enrol in Higher Education Institutions. � 2016 The Author(s).