Obrein Simasiku

The Oshikoto education directorate says it will work towards bridging the digital gap in adult literacy, as this was the hardest-hit section during the Covid-19 pandemic. Education director Aletta Eises said they learned the hard way to adjust from the traditional ways of learning when the pandemic hit, thus forcing the directorate to fully migrate to e-learning as face-to- face learning was not allowed.

“This time, we have enhanced adult literacy so that this learning group can also be integrated in using the technology of online learning, instead of what happened earlier. We as a region can’t afford to remain behind,” she stressed during the launch of the Life Long Learning events.

The launch includes an Adult Learners Week to run until 8 September, as well as a Readerthon to be held concurrently with Namibian Heritage Week from 20 to 24 September. The adult learners’ week is themed ‘Change Your Story’.

“Lifelong learning is the heartbeat of any education system as it never stops from childhood until adulthood. Therefore, this is an integral part of the system. As our older learners continue to learn, they plant that into society and the children still to be born before they can continue with formal school. So, this programme can be undertaken formally and informally,” Eises added.

There are 134 adult literacy centres in Oshikoto. Meanwhile, Helena Endjala from the adult education department said this programme helps to enhance self-reliance, and promotes adults’ participation in learning and community development.

“This will also help increase access to information to all previously disadvantaged communities. So, this will be celebrated in 11 districts with 134 centres,” she observed. Sharing similar sentiments was chief education officer Thomas Shikongo, who said all the events are aimed at raising awareness on the value of adult learning.

He noted that it further helps celebrate the achievements of learners and providers, while also inspiring others to discover how learning can positively change their lives. “This further promotes a culture of reading among learners for academic excellence and the safeguarding of traditional norms as an expression of our social and cultural identity. In addition, this teaches us how to prevent infections and reduce the spread of Covid-19 in accordance with the resilience plans,” he
continued.