Never Finished School? Here Is Your Second Chance.
Adults who missed out on formal education have been encouraged to enrol in adult learning programmes to acquire literacy, practical skills and academic qualifications aimed at improving their livelihoods and quality of life.
Speaking at her office in Kakamega, Kakamega Central Sub-County Adult Learning and Education Officer Hana Namakavuli-Ichingwa said Adult Learning and Education (ALE) programmes provide opportunities for out-of-school children, youth, adults and older persons to gain literacy, complete their education and develop skills that support personal and socio-economic development.
Namakavuli-Ichingwa stated that age or previous educational setbacks should not prevent individuals from pursuing education, noting that learning remains accessible at every stage of life through structured adult education programmes.
The officer said her own professional journey reflects the opportunities available through adult education. She explained that after working as a secretary in Nairobi for more than a decade, she resigned from a Nairobi-based safari company in 2006 to pursue a career in education. She subsequently served as a volunteer self-help instructor in Kiambu District for three years while undertaking a Teacher’s Certificate in Adult Education, examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
She revealed that she joined the Directorate of Adult Education in 2009 before being posted to Kakamega in 2010, where she advanced from the position of instructor to head of the Kakamega Central Sub-County Adult Learning and Education Office under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
According to Namakavuli-Ichingwa, the Kakamega Central Sub-County Adult Learning and Education Office currently implements three core programmes designed to meet the diverse educational needs of adult learners.
The first programme focuses on basic literacy for individuals with little or no formal education. The second programme comprises post-literacy training that builds on foundational literacy through financial literacy, health education, digital literacy and entrepreneurship. The third programme provides continuing education for learners preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
The officer further disclosed that the office operates a dedicated Adult Learning and Education desk at the Kakamega Huduma Centre. Through the initiative, clients seeking government services who are identified as illiterate or partially literate are referred to adult learning centres for enrolment. She noted that the programme has already recorded several successful learner outcomes.
Namakavuli-Ichingwa stated that the implementation of adult education programmes is supported through partnerships with various institutions. These include the Kakamega Multipurpose Development Institute, which provides learning and conferencing facilities, as well as faith-based organisations including the Salvation Army and Landmark Baptist Church in Amalemba.
She added that correctional institutions, including the Kakamega Children’s Remand Home, also participate in the outreach programme by providing access to adult learning opportunities.
The officer further stated that the sub-county office collaborates with the Sub-County Education Office in the registration of candidates for national examinations. Additional collaboration is undertaken with the Ministry of Interior through the Deputy County Commissioner, chiefs, assistant chiefs and village managers in conducting public sensitisation on available adult education opportunities.
Namakavuli-Ichingwa encouraged parents, youth and elderly persons who did not complete formal schooling to enrol at adult education centres or seek assistance through the Adult Learning and Education desk at the Kakamega Huduma Centre.
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She stated that learning is a continuous, lifelong and non-formal process that extends beyond classrooms into homes, places of worship and everyday community life.
The officer also called upon community leaders, religious organisations, government institutions and development partners to support Adult Learning and Education programmes, noting that the initiative provides educational opportunities that enhance literacy, skills acquisition and lifelong learning for adult learners. She reiterated that it is never too late to learn.
Never Finished School? Here Is Your Second Chance.
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