Kajiado north: A total of 178 adult learners registered to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) this year in Kajiado North Sub-County. Speaking to KNA, the Adult Education Officer (AEO) Monicah Naisenya revealed that the sub-county hosts eight recognized centres, which are both government-owned and privately owned.
According to Kenya News Agency, Naisenya encourages individuals who missed out on formal schooling to join these centres to acquire basic education. She also urges those who dropped out to continue their education from where they left off. Despite the current enrollment figures ranging between 750 to 780 adult learners across all eight centres, this number marks a significant decrease from nearly 2,000 in previous years, resulting in the closure of two centres.
Naisenya highlighted that there are currently more women than men among the adult learners, attributing this to the historical preference for educating men, which has left many women illiterate. She emphasized the importance of education for navigating life, stating that the centres not only follow the standard curriculum but also teach life skills by inviting experts to share their knowledge, thereby aiding learners’ economic growth.
A significant challenge faced by the adult education sector is the lack of facilities, including stationery, laboratories, instructors, and classroom space. This shortage has led to a situation where learners at different levels are forced to study together in the same classrooms.
Naisenya further mentioned that after learners complete their KCSE exams, the centres assist them by referring them to government programs where they can access bursaries to continue their education at colleges or universities. She pointed out that adult learners are keenly aware of their educational goals, which helps them grasp content quickly. The sector makes efforts to protect their self-esteem and reduce the stigma associated with returning to education.
Efforts are made to minimize trauma by adapting the curriculum delivery, such as referring to the institutions as centres instead of schools and using the term instructors instead of teachers. Naisenya concluded by urging society to avoid derogatory terms like ‘Ngumbaru’ for adult learners and inviting adults seeking education to join the centres fearlessly, as the education provided is free of charge.
Kajiado North is equipped with a fair distribution of adult education centres, located in places like Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Embulbul, Ngong town, and Kibiko. The government’s Kenya Vision 2030 strives to raise adult literacy to 80 percent. Programs offered through the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education encompass literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and vocational training, delivered through centres and, increasingly, via e-learning.