Low levels of literacy and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world.
About 70 adult learners have been enrolled for the non-formal education programme at Annex Adult Secondary Class in Nanyuki.
Speaking to the people in her office, Laikipia East District Adult Education officer Harriet Gikunda says that there are two resource centers for the non-formal programme amongst them been Annex Adult Secondary Class and Gutheria Micii Primary Adult class.
Gikunda adds that myriads of people now are yearning for education unlike in the past when adults were shying off from getting back to school.
She says that Laikipia East district has 34 learning resource centers for both Basic literacy programme and Post Literacy programme.
She further says that the highest candidate during last year’s KCSE had a B-, noting that any person has a potential for excellence if given a second chance.
The officer said that the programme under the ministry of Education has helped in eradicating illiteracy levels in the society ever since it was established in 1979 through a presidential directive.
Gikunda says that learners who qualified the basic literacy level were awarded with Literacy Proficiency Tests Certificates last year during the International Literacy Day Celebrations on 8th September.
She said that the celebrations were marked at Mwireri Shopping Center within Laikipia East District where the illiteracy level is high.
However, Gikunda said that the programme is faced with challenges like under-staffing, lack of permanent public utilities, poor scheme of services offered to teachers and lack of sponsorship to learners who qualify to further their education.
She also noted that there is inconsistency in learner’s attendance due to other responsibilities noting that some are bread winners in their families.
The officer is now appealing to all Kenyans that his office is open to any adult willing to learn adding that they have a chance to acquire knowledge
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