Preparations for the National Celebrations of International Adult Literacy are complete at Emurua Dikirr Primary School in Narok County, with thousands of residents expected to grace the occasion.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mr. Ezekiel Machogu, and Narok Governor, Mr. Patrick Ntutu, are expected to lead the celebrations that aim to boost literacy in the country.
Deputy Director, Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Ms. Janet Rotich, said the annual event was held in the area as many adults have shown interest in education.
She confirmed that the best adult learners will be awarded certificates so as to encourage more adults who did not have a chance to go to school at their teenage age to go back to school.
“We are happy that the residents have owned the occasion. We are expecting a very colourful day on Friday,” she said.
Trans Mara East Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Solomon Mpapale said a total of 25 entertainment groups were ready to entertain the guests but noted only the best five groups will be given priority.
“We are well prepared to receive our visitors. The day is very important to us as many adults have embraced education,” he said.
Narok County Adult and Continuing Education Director Mr. Benjamin Obonyo said the adults are taught in different phases, among them adult basic literacy, where the learners are taught to write and read simple instructions.
The second phase is post-literacy, which is the application, retention, and use of the skills learned to pursue further education, while the third phase is functional literacy, where the learners enrol in vocational training institutes and participate in community development.
The next phase is continuous education, where learners sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, and university education.
Some of the people who will be celebrating the day are Ms. Mantaine Ene Sankale, a 74-year-old woman who is learning basic literacy.
The mother of eight children, tens of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren said she did not get a chance to enrol in school while young as she tended her father’s flock.
The old woman from Ntulele area in Narok East Sub County asked residents to educate their children at an early age so that they can cope with the developing world.
The national celebrations of Adult Learners Day will be held on September 8th at the Emurua Dikirr area in Trans Mara East Sub County. This year’s theme is ‘Literacy enhances cohesion and sustainable development’. Last year, the national event was held in Mandera County.
By Ann Salaton
