By P, KNA
There is a need for the government to equip the 254 adult learning resources centres in Makueni County in a bid to enable over 4,800 learners to be digitally literate, Makueni Subcounty Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mr. Paul Langat has said.
In this regard, Langat called upon other stakeholders to supplement government efforts in order to ensure the resource learning centres are equipped with computers in a bid to achieve the digital literacy level the learners require.
Also, the administrator emphasized the need to employ qualified teachers so that to overcome the shortage besides enumerating them well in an effort to motivate them to work well in shaping the adult learners.
Currently, the Department of Adult learning in Makueni County has 16 permanent and pensionable teachers and 92 others who work part time in teaching the adult learners.
“The adult learning resource centres should be equipped with computers to help the learners. How can you be taught if you don’t have a computer? I embrace upon all stake- holders including National Government Constituency Fund (NG-CDF) and National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to supplement government efforts in equipping these centres with computers,” said Langat during the International Literacy Day (ILD) Celebrations held at Mukuyuni Secondary School on Monday.
“It is important for the government to employ more teachers to teach the adult learners’ digital literacy and alleviate the shortage. Also, the teachers should be well enumerated so that they can execute their duties well,” he added.
Consequently, he appealed to the local residents that failed to get formal education, especially men, to join adult learning classes in order to improve their literacy levels.
During the celebrations themed “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”, Langat praised the integration of adult learning and livelihood skills that have highly transformed the lives of many who are now earning an income, hence combating poverty.
“I am happy to see the integration of skills with livelihoods. There is a kitchen garden, knitting, and soap making. This has earned an income to the adult learners involved and uplifted their living standards,” he said.
While quipping that adult learning has assisted the elderly in accessing their monies under the Inua Jamii programme through M-pesa, the administrator challenged the learners to venture to poultry, table banking and dairy farming to improve their lives.
On her part, the Makueni County Director of Continuous Learning, Priscah Nduku, disclosed that they currently have a total of 4,802 adult learners while noting that they have 16 permanent teachers and 92 part time teachers who man the 254 resource learning centers.
MS Nduku further said that there are 3,729 female learners and 1,073 males learning in all the 254 resource centres across the county saying they lack computers besides having a shortage of teachers.
However, she revealed there are talks between her Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the National Treasury on how they can recruit more teachers this financial year.
