Maasai community urged to embrace adult education

Traditional beliefs and cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriages and moranism remain the biggest drawbacks to improving literacy levels among pastoral communities.

The economic lifestyle of the Maasai community also makes it hard for them to enrol in adult education classes as they move from one place to another in search of water and pastures making learning difficult.

According to the Maa culture, men and women are not allowed to mix and interact freely in public. 

Some men also prevent their wives from attending classes as they do not want them to be more educated than them.

In this regard, the Maasai community has been urged to take advantage of the governments adult education programme and embrace it in order to be enlightened.

Speaking during a literacy walk on matters of community and education across the board held in Kitengela Kajiado County on Friday, Janet Rotich, Deputy Director Adult Education, said the government is committed to making sure that every citizen knows how to read and write.

The walk was also meant to sensitise the community to the up coming celebrations of International Literacy Day on September 6, 2024, at Enkirgirri Primary School.

''As we all know, the world is changing every day, knowing how to write and read is a basic need to every Kenya, I am therefore urging every citizen to take advantage of this programme,'' said Rotich

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Kenya’s adult literacy level stood at 81.5 per cent in 2018, up from 78.7 per cent in 2014.

However, according to a report by the Ministry of Education seen by the Saturday Standard, Kajiado County has low adult literacy figures at 65.5 per cent females and 34.5 per cent for males.

Cumulatively, the percentage of persons aged 15 years and above attaining minimum mastery level in literacy.

Kajiado West Constituency has the lowest number of male adult learners who demand and register for adult education programs; thus they need to be motivated and encouraged to continue learning.

Kajiado County Director for Adult and Continuing Education, Mercy Njiriri, said that the cultural practices and beliefs are deeply rooted in society, and this poses as a hindrance in promoting education.

“Elderly men view it as taboo to sit in the same room with women so most of them keep off. We have been forced to introduce separate classes for men and women to ensure that no one is left out, although this is becoming a challenge due to lack of sufficient tutors” she said.

The officer urged the locals to stop practicing outdated cultures and embrace change so as not to be left behind adding the only way one could empower themselves economically and socially was through education.

Kajiado East Member of parliament Kakuta Ole Mai Mai who attended the event applauded the government for its efforts in making sure that every Kenyan citizen knows how to read and write.

''I'm always challenged to see old men and women from my community using mobile phones, this is a big milestone for the community,'' said Mai Mai.