Adult Education of Internally Displaced Persons in Medellin, Colombia: Factors Affecting Access and Participation

Abstract: This study aims to identify barriers to access and participation of adult internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the metropolitan area of Medellin, Colombia, as perceived by a sample of advisors, administrators and educators working with this population. Displacement often presents substantial barriers to education and IDPs fulfilling their human rights. These barriers and their underlying structures are analysed and compared to Cross' (1981) situational, institutional and dispositional categories, as well as corresponding the data to Maslow’s (1943) 5-scale Hierarchy of Needs.  The study found a variety of reasons why IDPs do not participate in education, and complex networks between these, which could be mapped to Maslow’s and Cross’ theoretical models. Lack of resources, cost/ benefit choices (both economically and in terms of time) and family obligations figure as much as poor prior study experience, literacy skills and confidence in one's own abilities. This is not surprising, and agrees with the literature regarding adult education of this population. This study aims to contribute to a complex model of deterrents to participation. A full model could be combined with existing knowledge to form a dynamic model of participation in adult education of the IDP population.