Adult education in rural areas: lessons from students in the South Australian context

This paper discusses the accessibility of educational opportunities for individuals that reside in areas located outside of the metropolitan areas. It does so by understanding the reports of a small number of adult students residing in the rural communities of South Australia. Previous reports about marginalised communities and their inhabitants report that engaging with education facilitates social influence: enhancing an individual's life chances across the life course and assisting development of their community. This study assists an evaluation of education provision in terms of identifying improvements through the perspective of the recipients of current education initiatives. Recipients revealed their education experiences through semi-structured interviews, allowing rich insight into the deep concerns that face adults who engage with education as rural residents. Appreciation of the issues raised by the contributors demonstrates that hopes for equitable involvement and educational outcomes for individuals living outside of metropolitan areas rests on changes that are appropriate for the context of students. In conclusion, the reports from adult students contribute to- awareness of the challenges for rural residents and their communities: allowing suggestions for education in rural areas that assists both inhabitants and their communities