Men in Busia County have been called on to embrace adult education in order to get knowledge and skills from different sectors.
Speaking during the celebration of International Literacy Day in Busia, the County Director of Adult Learning Education, Ann Mayoyo, said the statistics indicate a small number of men are willing to undertake the adult education.
“This year we have registered 1,642 that are in our classes. Out of the numbers, women are the majority. Men are not coming to learn despite the latter being at the centers of development of our families and communities. This education is providing an opportunity to learn skills and get knowledge that will help you. We want men to come out and join this education so that they benefit too.” She said.
Mayoyo noted that the county is majorly relying on part-time instructors due to the small number of government-employed instructors compared to the centers.
“We have 71 centers with 11 full-time teachers. We also have 70 volunteer instructors who are teaching on a part-time basis. We only manage to pay them stipends and not salaries, and they are doing good work,” she said, adding that the county has two community learning centers, one at Bukhalalire in Butula Sub-County and the other in Teso South Sub-County.
Mayoyo cited lack of designated infrastructure as a challenge the adult education sector has encountered, appreciating the stakeholders who have helped in ensuring there is a place for the adults to learn.
“We lack classes that have been constructed by the government, but we are using community faith-based organizations, assistant chiefs’ camps, and our primary schools,” she said, adding that the sector has received not only places for learning but also the learning materials from our stakeholders.
Busia Municipality Assistant County Commissioner Calvin Monare called on all adults to embrace this education for an opportunity to learn about the digital skills.
“The world is moving, and as adults, let’s embrace this education so that we can also learn about the digital literacy. We should have the knowledge of using technology regardless of our age. This is an opportunity for those who didn’t get an opportunity during their time to learn and get skills that will help us,” he said.
Monare underscored the need of moving together as a community towards embracing adult education, stating that it will result to a well-informed community.
“We have seen that it is women who are embracing adult education, but that should not be the case. We should move in uniformity by having men and women who are well skilled and informed, and that will even influence our actions,” he said.
Rose Odhiambo, a beneficiary of adult education, said the education has equipped her with skills she is using to earn a living.
“I dropped out of school in class five, and I got married when I was 13 years old. I later sat for my standard 8 exams while my daughter was in form four. I managed to finish my education, and today I am a part time instructor at Manyole in Nambale Subcounty, where I have five adults whom I am teaching,” she said, urging the adults to embrace the education.
Lucy Amojong from the Ochude Adult Education center was awarded a certificate in literacy proficiency. She expressed her happiness for being awarded with a certificate.
“I never imagined I could get a certificate. I dropped out of school many years ago, but when I heard that there was an opportunity for adults, I took it, and today I am happy to reach where I am,” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
