Kisii University don Francis Omayo has lauded the government for its proposed plan to introduce a well-crafted programme for adult learners. The programme would enable those who never stopped on their way to acquire adequate knowledge to guide them in life.
He said that with the incoming Competency Based Education (CBE), many adults, especially those who went through the defunct 8.4.4 system but never passed to join any training institute or dropped out of school, will be locked out and denied any opportunity to continue.
According to Omayo, the proposed program is meant to provide learning opportunities to people of all ages who never got the chance to receive an education or dropped out of school for various reasons.
The don argued that research showed that out of 10 people who joined school during the 8.4.4 system era, only 3 completed their course up to form four level or University, as others remained behind on the way because of either lack of school fees or joining early marriages.
He said that the move to accommodate these cadres will increase enrollment in Primary, Secondary, and Technical training institutes, and he asked the government to employ enough teachers to accommodate them before starting the programme.
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“The main problem with our government is that they introduce ambitious projects without putting in place a proper roadmap for them, and they end up collapsing,” he said.
Concerning the need to increase infrastructure like classrooms for this large number of learners, he proposed introducing shifts in learning so that they can use the existing primary and secondary schools in their locality.
The Principal of Kitutu Masaba Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Peter Nyaribo, supported the move, saying that it will give a chance to those who passed well from primary but failed to join high school because of poor family backgrounds to train and get sustainable skills and knowledge that will enable them to continue their education up to the University level.
“In our institution, we provide a chance for anybody willing to take a course of their own choice for self-growth because we understand that there is none who was born a failure, but exposure to some systems makes people feel that they are unable, and we discourage that, “he said.
The principal appealed to communities to avoid referring to those who never complete their education at any level as dropouts because this leads to stigma. He added that Sustainable Development Goal 4 stresses the necessity for quality education for all and asked the Ministry of Education to synergise its operations to make this programme a reality in the country.
“None of us would like to be mentioned negatively, so let us try to appreciate our brothers in that group with a positive attitude, “he said.
He proposes that for adult literacy to succeed in the country, the Ministry of Education should give it serious attention, as it does in the other levels of education, instead of overlooking it as it is not part of their mandate.
Joseph Momanyi, 48, who left school at standard six and got married, welcomes the reintroduction of continued learning for people of all ages because it will motivate modern young learners in school.
“When my children see me preparing in the morning and going to school with them, they will be motivated to work hard and defeat me for fun, pushing them to achieve good grades in their education,” he said.
Peris Nyaboke said the programme will boost respect among couples, adding that most household women want to see their husbands equipped with enough knowledge for general household leadership.
“Husbands are regarded as the heads of families, and the acquisition of more education will shape them into better leaders,” she said
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Nyabonyi 35, who stopped schooling in form two because of a teenage pregnancy, asked the government to introduce different classes for male and female adult students to avoid stigma among themselves.
She also asked them to consider age during learning placements to safeguard some societal ethics between adults and children.
Education News was interested in the authenticity and progress of the proposed programme, and Omayo admitted that he was aware that the Ministry of Education was working on new guidelines that would allow old learners to rejoin the CBE.
“I saw the document where the Moe is proposing a structured school reentry program that would allow adults and school dropouts to continue studies under CBE,” Omayo confirmed.
The don said that according to the document, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development( KICD) has been tasked with developing a CBC pathway to accommodate adults and school dropouts.
The document points out that the pathway will embed the principles of adult education and provide flexible learning models for them.
“Under the new plan, adults and out-of-school learners will not be confined to the traditional classroom tutorage, but instead they will have the allowance of attending lessons at their convenience,“ he said.
It now remains on the Ministry of Education to clarify the long-awaited plan to allow those who were barred by the change of the curriculum to decide and mend their lives through the acquisition of knowledge of their own choice.
By Enock Okong’o.
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