By Amoto Ndiewo
Tana River County Director of Adult Education Robert Zonga has expressed concern over the low enrolment of adult learners in the region.
Zonga stated that the low enrolment has threatened to derail efforts to eradicate illiteracy in the Coastal area.
He also complained that high illiteracy level has led to high poverty levels.
“Illiteracy and poverty work in tandem to make an unholy alliance,” he reasoned.
He lamented that the county has only seven permanent adult education teachers who are supported by 43 part time teachers employed by NGOs.
“Adding insult to the injury, the county has only 101 teachers manning 101 adult education literacy centres,’’ Zonga noted, further noting that the learning centres have an enrolment of 1,622 learners.
The adult education chief stressed that the aim of adult education is to ensure learners who perform well in national exams get employment or became self-employed.
He went on to add that 8 candidates will sit for this year’s KCPE exams while 15 will sit for KCSE exams.
Speaking to Education News on phone, Tana River County Director of Education Dr. Khalif Issack regretted that with an illiteracy rate at 67%, the poverty index lies compromised.
“Tana River County occupies the 44th position in illiteracy levels while Mandera county holds the tail end at position 47,’’Issack noted.
Tana River Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Langat urged the adult education department to run a sensitization programme so as to improve the literacy levels in the county.
Langat said that educated adults can practice better modern farming, treat their livestock, live healthier lives and lead better lives.
The education levels in Tana River County are so low. Data from 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census reported that from 32,815 girls, only 13,464 completed school.
The data also revealed that 58,872 males and 68, 287 females have never been to school in Tana River County.
