Nobody in Kenya ever seems concerned with the learning conditions of the Ngumbaru learners in Kenya. Although the media is usually quick to air whenever an old person appears in classroom with other students,nobody ever questions how they manage to make that call of going back to school.
Education stakeholders in Mbeere region of Embu County have cited unfavourable learning conditions as an impediment to the many school drop outs who want to resume schooling through the adult education system.
Mbeere South director of Adult Education Magdalene Chabari said the region was facing lack of proper classrooms for adults, with many adult learners shying from sharing same facilities with their children and grandchildren.
Chabari said there are many people willing to pursue learning as adults shy off due to stigma and misconception that those pursuing adult education are illiterate.
“Adult education centres lack specific classrooms for adults. They use the same classrooms as their children and fear being seen going to school. Some prefer to go very early in the morning or in the evening,” she said.
She added that the number of instructors kept on dwindling as those that retired are not immediately replaced by the government.
Speaking during a forum on adult education at Kiritiri CDF Hall, Chabari said the trend must be reversed or else development in the area will slow.
Embu County Director of Adult Education Stephen Mboi warned that unless a way is found to lure drop outs back to school, the Mbeere region may fail to attain the Vision 2030 due to high rates of illiterates.
Mbeere has seen many cases of children, especially boys dropping out of school to work in miraa farms or in sand harvesting.
Do you think it is high time the government re-looks into the learning conditions of Ngumbaru students?