The Transformative Power of Adult Education
How adult basic education strengthens families and builds capacity for community change — transforming society from the ground up.
About the book
Adult basic education transforms lives of pain and despair into lives of hope and pride. For people who are broken, defeated, and down on themselves, finishing a high school education can get them off social assistance and into work that pays a living wage. The benefits far outweigh the costs of adult basic education. It strengthens families and improves the lives of the children of adult learners, particularly those who are poor and marginalized, in ways that go beyond economics to the very core of human dignity by developing self-esteem and self-confidence where it scarcely existed. It produces broader societal benefits by reducing poverty and inequality. And it builds capacity, allowing people to engage in creating social change in their communities and in society. Despite these impressive and important benefits, adult basic education is largely unknown and seriously underfunded. It could and should be a central part of a radical re-imagining of education, in which adult basic education is on par with K-12 and post-secondary education.
What people are saying
Shauna Butterwick, professor of Adult Learning and Education, University of British Columbia“The voices of students and educators, plus years of research, tell the story of the transformative power of adult basic education in Manitoba. Its benefits are obvious, particularly for Indigenous communities and others marginalized by poverty and colonialism. This is essential reading for advocates calling for the integration of adult basic education into community development, anti-poverty and reconciliation initiatives.”
Heather McCormick, co-executive director, Neeginan Education“A compelling examination of adult basic education in Manitoba, underscoring its essential role in advancing equity, reconciliation, and community well-being. The book demonstrates clearly how it strengthens families, improves health outcomes, and breaks cycles of poverty for Indigenous communities and others facing social and economic barriers.”
Tara Manych, Associate Vice President Transformation, University College of the North“Silver’s work is the spark that finally brings adult basic education in Manitoba out of the shadows. He shows us what’s been hiding in plain sight—a force for real transformation, especially in the North, where hope and opportunity can be hard to come by. With clarity and conviction, this book argues that investing here isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s what changes lives, communities, and the future of our economy.”
Matt Henderson, superintendent, Winnipeg School Division“This book offers a compelling blueprint for eliminating poverty, upholding human dignity, and ensuring everyone has the means to live a decent life. Silver illuminates the deep roots and enduring potential of adult education, bringing to life the stories that have shaped — and continue to shape — its powerful future in Manitoba and across Canada.”
Author
Contents
- Chapter 1: What Is Adult Basic Education and Why Does It Matter?
- Chapter 2: From Radical Agency for Social Change to Handmaiden of the Market to Transformative Learning
- Chapter 3: Struggling to Emerge in Manitoba
- Chapter 4: From Pain and Despair to Hope and Pride
- Chapter 5: The Political Economy of Adult Basic Education
- Chapter 6: Adult Basic Education and the Building of Northern Communities
- Chapter 7: A Radical Re-imagining of Education
