By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, November 20, Mana:  Women in Traditional Authority Khosolo in Mzimba have expressed excitement with adult classes they attend at Rukulu Primary School, describing them as empowering and enlightening.

Speaking on Tuesday at Rukulu Primary school in the area during one of such lessons, a learner, Elizabeth Jere from Thomas Tembo Village said she decided to enrol for the afternoon classes because she had challenges with numeracy and literacy skills.

‘‘I dropped out of school way back when I was a girl due to lack of school fees. As you might be aware, education in the 1980s was not for free as it is today, so I failed to proceed with it’’, said Jere.

Jere said before enrolling for the adult classes, she had problems with budgeting for her business.

‘‘I had problems counting and reading. My fritters business almost collapsed. But now I can write, count and explain issues. These adult lessons have helped me’’, she said.

Another beneficiary of the adult classes, Christina Gondwe said the reading and writing skills she has gained have opened her eyes to the world of many possibilities.

‘‘I used to ask strangers whenever I was travelling due to illiteracy. But now with this adult lessons we are able to read and we no longer ask fellow travellers about where a car is going because I am now able to read and write.

“Even my business of selling clothes is now thriving because I no longer struggle with calculations and other transactions’’, she said.

Margret Kaunda, a tutor at the school said the adult learners are taught many subjects and skills.

‘‘We teach them how to set up a business, identify a market, savings and loans groups and hygiene and modern agriculture techniques. Many are coming to attend these classes and learn these skills which are pivotal in their life’’, She said.

She however said most men do not attend adult literacy classes as compared to women and appealed to men to join.

‘‘I would like to appeal to everyone starting from 15 years to come and attend these classes and open their minds to the world’’, said Kaunda.

In a separate interview, Assistant Community Development officer for Mzimba, Godfrey Shaba said male participation is one big challenge that adult classes face.

‘‘It could be because they are income earners for their families so they have difficulties finding time for the classes” he said.

Shaba however encouraged men to find time and attend the classes, observing that such classes run in the afternoon hours when many people have time.

According to Shaba, there are about 238 adult classes across all traditional authorities in Mzimba South.