MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FORTIFYING ADULT EDUCATION

The Kenya National Adult Survey Report reveals that illiteracy stands at 7, 800, 000 of the Kenyan population aged from 15 years and above, of which 3,956,219 are youths between 15 and 34 years.

It is with this background that the ministry of education is putting forth a conceited effort in catapulting adult education through non formal education, NFE, adult classes and e-learning centres, says Salim Mungai, assistant director in the department of adult education, DAE, by giving grants under the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme, KESSP, to supplement the effort of faith based organization and NGOs.

The report indicates that the department oversees more 6,889 adult literacy classes across the country instructed by more than 4,881 adult education teachers, of whom 1,792 are full time government employees, while 3,089 are part time.

The director points out that the Kenya Institute of Education,KIE, has finalist an alternative syllabus for those learners who are pursuing Adult Basic Education and Training,ABET, which is offered in three levels; ABET (I), ABET(II) and ABET (III).

ABET (I) can be equated with standard four examinations, while ABET (II) test up to standard six content, and ABET (III) examines up to standard eight knowledge. According to the syllabus which has been modeled by KIE, ABET (III) will be examined by the K.N.E.C. The learners proceed to pursue an alternative secondary education curriculum and K.C.S.E examination, says Mungai.

It's noteworthy that learning material for adult classes are prepared by experts from various disciplines for relevancy and applicability in content: themes such as gender, agriculture, peace and reconciliation, family planning and AIDS/HIV are included.

The ministry is jointly working with Kenya prisons department in offering adult education to those who are serving long sentences, the director says. “Naivasha maximum prisons has the largest number of learners,600”. This is where Justine Mabuka, emerged from to score an A- (Minus) in 2008, K.C.S.E examinations - he has secured a place at the University of Nairobi, School of Veterinary Medicine.

St. Peters Clevers Primary School in Nairobi City is a modal of these centres - sheltering a wide range of adult education classes and learners from diverse backgrounds and age, religions and regions. From here too, the 28 year old James Kinyajui, registered a B (Plain) in 2004 – he is now pursuing his university education. Yes, Hai Endeda Allan, did his K.C.P.E examination in 2004, recording an amazing 440 marks, from these centres.

NFE takes care of those adults aged 18 years and above, who dropped from school because of one reason or another, Mungai says, adding that this is an accelerated programme where the learners can take 1 or 2 years to register for their K.C.S.E examination, according to one's preparedness.



“NFE used to take even 15 years old, but when it was matched with the ministry of education we went a notch higher,” says Mungai. Most of these adult learners, get anew lease of life as they match forward to advanced levels of education. “Indeed, NFE offers opportunities to the working force to upgrade their studies towards professional proficiency, where a minimum requirement of a C (Plain) is required to register for the examinations before any promotion.”

“Yes, there are many Masai watchmen who are pursuing ABET courses,” says the director, “thus they can be able to read, write and speak Kiswahili and English. The coast has the majority of such learners. Indeed, Kenya is catching up with the USA trend – where there are so many routes towards higher education,'' the director notes.

The birth of 8-4-4 system – which put a lot of emphasis on sciences left NFE learners disadvantaged, says Mungai, as they could not access laboratories for science subjects. “Thus over the years there has been this gap, but we're reviving the programmes to fill it.”

“We've put up a special programme for arid and semi arid areas, ASAL, called Lechkuti approach, says the director, where learners where learners go to class at 2:00 pm after taking care of the domestic animals as they prepare to sit for 8-4-4 exams.

KIE has began national sensitization, says Mungai, to ignite adult teachers. In the near future more teachers will be recruited, he adds, explaining that recruitment is done at a community level, the aspiring candidates should be 25 years older, exhibit leadership qualities, of good conduct and armed with a minimum grade of C (Plain) and above. Their training will be done through correspondence – being evaluated regularly by educational officers. The graduates will be accorded Adult Teachers Certificate at the end of the course.