Journal of Education & Social Policy

A Study of Lifelong Learning in Relation to Inspiration in the Context of Bahraini Women
Huda Bahzad, Dr. Mohammed Buheji, Dr. Said Al-Hasan, Prof. Brychan Thomas

Abstract
The concept of Lifelong Learning (LLL) has been growing since the early 1960s and has become more important with the adoption of UNESCO standards in the 1970s. Since then, LLL as a concept and practice has grown steadily towards addressing all life related issues in a more comprehensive way and has therefore developed faster in the last decade with the trend towards a knowledge-based society. Today, LLL has become an important factor for socio-economic development where international indicators are used as a measure for societies’ progress. In parallel, to the importance of LLL, the need for inspiration in our life is becoming important to the quality of life of individuals and societies. Inspiration is seen to play a role in both economic and social stability. However, little research has been established between the existence of inspiration and LLL. Existing research approaches have not shown how LLL practices play a role in creating inspirational practices. This study aims to address whether LLL practices influence inspiration with special focus on women in society in the context of Bahrain. To ascertain the relationships between LLL and inspiration; both practices were reviewed from both literature and available government published data. A quantitative survey approach was undertaken using a researcher-developed scale, and a total of 146 valid responses were collected from different Bahraini women. The scale developed for this research can be generalised and used as a self-assessment tool for the effectiveness of LLL and inspiration programmes and probably for both genders. The research limitations have been around being undertaken in only one country, with no comparative data with the other gender and therefore it is suggested that the model proposed in this paper is further investigated by future research and perhaps with a longitudinal study.

Full Text: PDF