The power of adult education: Addressing rural Kenya’s gender divide

In Kenya, enrolment in adult literacy classes among minority groups has improved as a result of an enhanced partnership with the West Pokot county government, which has mobilized 330 community adult educators. The intensive mobilization of learners by the Kenya Adult Learners Association (KALA) has also contributed to improving adult learning participation.  

Statistics for 2019 indicated an illiteracy rate of 68.2% in the West Pokot region, with women representing the majority of those lacking literacy skills. The county government aims to halve this number by 2022, eventually bringing it to zero.

However, challenges persist. A lack of funding and the disruptions and effects of COVID-19 have led to a decline in the number of available educators, leaving only 330 adult educators for 7,200 adult learners.