By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, September 25, Mana: Adult literacy supervisor for Santhe Zone, Augustino Tembo, says the lack of learning materials is affecting the smooth operations and effectiveness of adult schools in the area.
Tembo has since asked authorities to provide the necessary support to the schools which he said are important in the development of communities.
He said this Tuesday at Chigodi in Senior Chief Santhe’s area in Kasungu, during the presentation of certificates to 1 425 students who have completed their adult literacy sessions in the district.
“We last received books in 2017. Most centres do not have the necessary learning materials and this makes our work difficult and the lessons ineffective.
“Adult schools are very important in communities because, after completion of the sessions, the students become productive members of the society, taking important positions in community development structures,” Tembo said.
Kasungu District Council Director of Administration, Matias Blugama said Kasungu is one of the districts with high illiteracy levels in the country and that the council is doing its best to reverse the trend.
“We cannot achieve socioeconomic development if we have illiterate societies. This is why we take this day seriously as we reflect on the challenges that affect adult literacy programmes.
“We are trying our best to reduce illiteracy in the district through various programmes, including adult schools because we understand the importance of such initiatives in achieving socioeconomic development,” he said.
Receiving her certificate, one of the graduates Ella Banda said it was pleasing that she can now read, write and make calculations, skills she said are crucial in her life as a businessperson.
In her remarks, Senior Chief Santhe said it was her wish to see many women and men registering for the adult schools in her area.
The activity was part of the World Adult Literacy Day which falls on 8th September every year and this year’s theme is ‘Promoting multilingual education: literacy for mutual understanding and peace’.
Globally, at least 765 million people are illiterate and in Malawi, about 5 million people, mostly rural women cannot read, write and make mathematical calculations.
