Adults have been encouraged to enrol in special continuing education centres to improve literacy in the country.
Kakamega County Adult Education Director Isaiah Nyamweno said the move would also lead to socio-economic development and reduce ignorance among its populace.
“Through education, one is able to earn dignity and respect. They cannot be manipulated easily to make informed decisions,” said Nyamweno.
While speaking in Butere Sub County during the commemoration of International Literacy Day, the director said the national government has emphasised the importance of adult learning.
“Education as a basic need will help adults compute their resources and empower them economically,” he said.
Nyamweno noted that the government had employed 26 full-time tutors and casuals in the area to help in the improvement of learning in various centres.
He added that they will continue to depend on the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) for mobilisation of the learners to achieve their intended goal.
“I must thank NGAO for their continued support in marshalling the learners to attend classes, thus enabling more enrollment in the institutions,” he said.
The director said there was a close relationship between adult and formal education, hence increased enrollment in primary schools.
“Learned parents tend to be more concerned with their children’s performance and enrollment as opposed to the illiterate lot,” said Nyamweno.
He, however, decried the high levels of inadequate staff to man the existing learning centres and the long distances between them.
“We are calling upon the government to increase the number of tutors and build more centres close to the learners for convenience purposes,” he said.
The World Literacy Day function, themed ‘Promoting literacy for sustainable and peaceful Kenyan society, was attended by departmental heads led by area Deputy County Commissioner Hassan Hussein and other stakeholders.
By John Ochanda
