Lifelong Learning and its Impact on the Palestinian Public Sector
Date
2018-02-18
Authors
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Publisher
An-Najah National University
Abstract
The Palestinian public sector must accommodate the socio-economic needs of the Palestinians, and globalization`s requirements. Upgraded services and developed human resources in the public sector, could be achieved through a training and learning process known as "lifelong learning" (LLL) which extends beyond basic education, college or university certificate.
The major research question is to find the LLL elements which create the desirability for learning and acquiring new skills.
It investigates the role of LLL in improving the performance of public sector employees’ meta-cognitive and self-directed learning skills.
Descriptive statistics and an econometric approach are utilized. The target population is public institutions in the West Bank. A random sample of 350 public employees was collected from 27 public institutions of different types.
The research finds:
1. An increasing discussion on LLL from policy makers and stakeholders, and most of the discussion came under other concepts such as vocational education, non-formal education, and adult education.
2. Universities play the most important role in increasing the impact of LLL practices and skills on the performance of public employees.
3. Support for LLL programs from public institutions, has positive influence on the performance of the public employees.
4. Obstacles of LLL related to the nature of LLL practices and programs.
5. The availability of support for LLL is considered the corner stone in elevating public institutions' performance and increasing the satisfaction of the Palestinian citizens with the quality of public services.
6. Public institutions' awareness of the importance of LLL increasing likelihood for them to be involved in LLL activities.
7. LLL activities positively affect the performance of public institutions positively.
8. Challenges or obstacles related to the nature of LLL practices and programs negatively affect the performance of public institutions.
9. Challenges of LLL levied by the public institutions positively affect the performance of public institutions.
For improving the performance of LLL practices in the Palestinian public sector. The study calls for:
1. An increase in the awareness of LLL ,among public employees.
2. It recommends urgent improvements in ICT infrastructure in public institutions.
3. The Palestinian government needs to allocate budgets for LLL projects through the National School of Public Administration.
4. Job development in the public sector should be based on the ability of public employees to enhance their LLL skills.
5. LLL practices and training programs should be compulsory for public employees.
6. In upgrading a new LLL skills ,a public allocation for external trainers, experts, and attending professional conference ,must be provided.