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Illiteracy worries educationists as it rises to 31 pc
2008-04-25 10:12:23
By Amri Lugungulo, PST, Kisarawe
Illiteracy has reached alarming proportions nationwide as educationists warn of further decline from the present rate of 31 per cent.
The shocking statistic undermines the achievement Tanzania made in the field in the 1970s when adult education was almost compulsory and classes were held even in the remotest villages in the country.
Addressing participants to a day-long workshop in Kibaha, Coast Region, recently that focused on strategies to reverse the trend on adult education slump, Institute of Adult Education acting director Oswald Matemu said since 1992 literacy decline was at the rate of 2 per cent.
``One of the best ways to address the situation is to revive adult education through the application of modern techniques to reach more people. Both distance learning and face-to-face teaching methods in classrooms should be applied and educators also be given incentives to deliver accordingly,`` said Matemu.
The participants concurred that education would always remain the best tool to fight the major three enemies hindering people`s development, which are poverty, diseases and ignorance.
``Since formal education was not accessible to all, it is necessary to learn from other countries which have recorded success in wiping out illiteracy,`` said another participant.
Matemu recalled the lost glory Tanzania had gained in literacy back in the 1970s when even the international community admired its literacy rate of 96.4 per cent.
In his keynote address, Education and Vocational Training acting permanent secretary Leonard Musaroche, who spoke on behalf of his superior, Prof. Hamisi Dihenga, underlined the importance of extending adult education services to more people who missed out in formal education.
``There is an urgent need to employ various techniques to revamp adult education in the country instead of relying on media adverts. Stakeholders should take concerted efforts to reach the people and involve local community leaders in ensuring its success,`` Musaroche explained.
The event brought together education stakeholders and government officials including district commissioners, district education officers and ward education coordinators from six districts in Coast Region.
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