Caregivers’ Education in Global Time: The Case of Filipina Domestic Workers in Singapore

Abstract

This paper links the results of an explorative case study with quantitative data from a survey in order to present the complex personal, societal, economic and cultural factors that influence foreign domestic workers’ (FDWs) experiences as home-based caregivers. A lack of coordinated, systematic training programs for live-in FDWs hinders their social mobility as well as quality of home-care practices. The author suggests a paradigm shift towards creating collaborative relationships between professionals in healthcare and education, with home-caregivers, in order to create new model of bi-directional education. The researcher calls for an examination of lay-knowledge of caregivers in order to advance training programs, and in hope to shape new, multifaceted, and inclusive pedagogy required for the future of adult education in a globalised world. The author argues that FDWs’ experiential learning and lay knowledge should be recognized as valuable, relevant, and integral for future research, regardless of their access to conventional modes of accreditation and education.