By Berio Mbala Windhoek After more than 16 years of Namibia’s independence, the Directorate of Adult Basic Education (DABE), which is responsible for all adult educational needs, has for the first time attained its goal of 80 percent literacy. According to the housing and population census of 2001, the “literacy rate was 81,3 percent. Thus, we have reached the first target and are now working towards reaching 95 percent literacy by 2015”. The Directorate of Adult Basic Education was established in line with the National Education Policy, with the aim of achieving educational goals of access, equality, efficiency and democracy. Information obtained from the Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Edla Kapuku indicates “the main aims of adult education are to promote basic literacy and numeracy skills in Namibian languages including English, as well as to empower learners by reinforcing self-confidence and self-reliance among adult learners”. The information indicates that the National Literacy Programme (NLPN) offers three stages that equip adults with reading, writing and numeracy skills in the mother tongue and basic English. “The literacy phases are: Stage One, to provide literacy in the mother tongue and basic numeracy skills for beginners; Stage Two, to consolidate the literacy and numeracy skills attained; Stage Three, to introduce basic English and to further develop numeracy skills.” “The satisfactory completion of the three stages is considered equivalent to the completion of Grade 4 of formal schooling,” the report indicates. The information indicates that there are also other programmes in the Directorate of Adult Education such as: ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚¯ “Adult Upper Primary Education (AUPE) that can equip adults with knowledge and skills equivalent to Grades 5, 6 and 7 in formal education, the Adult Skills Development for Self employment (SADSE) that offers entrepreneurship training and access to micro credit in an effort to reduce poverty and promote self-reliance through income-generating activities; ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚¯ Community Learning and development Centres (CLDCs) that promote community development through life-long learning that provides books and other resources and access to modern technology to disadvantaged communities; ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚¯ Family Literacy (FL), a programme established recently in collaboration with the formal school system to assist adults in disadvantaged communities to participate in the learning of their children.” All these programmes are useful for adults who could not read and write before, but now can. Kapuku went on to say that adult education is useful when comparing spoiled ballot papers. In elections in the past, as well as recent years, the number of spoiled ballot papers had reduced drastically due to improved literacy. The majority of those who have acquired literacy are now taking part in the entrepreneurial activities of the country, as well as in the activities of their churches by reading hymns on their own. She also said that adult education is useful when it comes to withdrawing money from banks, either inside or outside. Parents are now able to withdraw money without help from the young ones. “Our adults can now cope with today’s challenge of modern technology,” which is the fastest way of communication, she added. Adult education is important for parents and mostly targets adults and out-of-school youth aged 15 and above, she said. However, negotiations can be made for the admission of marginalized children who have no other access to learning. Even though these schools (for adults) are non-formal and less structured, the main mobilization campaign is normally done from December to February before literacy classes open in March.