Examination of the Reasons for Participation and Satisfaction Levels of Trainees at Public Education Centers: A Case Study on Hozat Public Education Center

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to examine the reasons for participation in courses that are offered by public education centers within the scope of lifelong learning, and the level of satisfaction of trainees, focusing on Hozat Public Education Center. Since the study aims at determining the reasons why trainees take part in the courses as well as their levels of satisfaction objectively, it was designed on the basis of relational survey model which is a quantitative research model. The population of the research consists of 767 trainees that participated in the courses between the educational term of 2021-2022 (those courses were offered between 01.01.2022-30.06.2022), and the sample consists of 352 trainees some of whom were reachable, and the others that could be selected by simple random sampling method. The data was collected through “Trainee Satisfaction Questionnaire” and “Questionnaire on Reasons for Course Participation” that the Ministry of National Education offers to the trainees in public education centers. As the measurement scores demonstrated normal distributions, parametric tests were used to analyze data. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between scores from the surveys on the reasons for participation in courses and satisfaction levels of trainees. Analysis showed that there was a low level of positive correlation between the scores of surveys on participation reasons and satisfaction levels of the trainees (Crobach’s Alpha=0.29). There was not a meaningful correlation between the scores of the trainees' satisfaction with the courses and the reasons for attending the courses and trainees’ sex, educational levels, professions, or occupations. According to the findings, men and women participate in courses that the Public Education Center offers at a similar rate. However, the satisfaction levels of men and women with the courses, and their thoughts on participation reasons are slightly below average. This finding clearly indicates that public education centers should be enhanced and supported in line with their aims. Keywords: Education, adult education, lifelong learning, public education, Hozat.