Adult literacy unlocks new opportunities
One of the steepest hurdles in adult education is overcoming deep-seated self-doubt. Many older adults firmly believe they are simply "too old" to learn.
Gider Male (R) helping women to learn how to write & read through adult education. (Courtesy photos)
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Adult education is transforming lives across Uganda by equipping graduates with the critical financial, economic and social tools needed for holistic prosperity.
In an insightful interview, Adonia Katungisa, the Assistant Commissioner for Library and Documentation Services at the Ministry of Education and Sports, shed light on how modern literacy programmes are deliberately designed to uplift people, safeguard the planet and unlock economic growth.
Breaking down cultural barriers and age
One of the steepest hurdles in adult education is overcoming deep-seated self-doubt. Many older adults firmly believe they are simply "too old" to learn.
“Adult learners can be interested to enrol through sharing examples of peers who learnt late in life, and connecting new skills directly to their daily needs,” he said.
He added that the examples of older individuals successfully running small businesses or mastering smartphones to stay connected with distant relatives gives prospective adult learners confidence that they too can learn.
Grandunds of adult education celebrating during the 13 graduation ceremony of Kampala adult school
Educators constantly reinforce a powerful truth: learning never ends and every new skill solves a tangible, everyday problem. “We encourage them that learning never ends and explain to them how the new skill solves a real problem, like communicating or talking to their distant relatives via phone or online,” he said.
Flexible solutions for busy working adults
Retaining adult learners who juggle farming, market trading, or boda boda riding requires flexibility. To keep these students engaged without threatening their livelihoods, Katusinga said the ministry has rolled out a series of practical accommodations:
- Flexible schedules: Lessons are carefully timed to avoid peak economic hours, such as early mornings or late evenings for boda boda riders and intense planting or harvesting seasons for farmers.
- Mobile and digital learning: Instructors bring "mobile-learning" directly to the students' workplaces or homes. Lessons are also conveniently delivered via recorded audio and short videos.
- Zero cost: Making the training entirely free of charge removes a massive financial barrier for struggling families, allowing adults to learn without the extra burden of tuition.