Eradicating Illiteracy in Kenya

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Literacy has a multiplier effect which makes it a common factor in eradicating poverty, social

seclusion, reduce child mortality, achieve sustainability and gender equality. There has been an

improvement in the number of schools built in the sub-county regions. However, some of the

rural areas are experiencing extreme cases of illiteracy. As a country we are always dealing with

mismanagement of government funds, teachers’ strike, and inequality in the education sector and

poor training of teachers which leads to investing much to retrain them. As we are battling all

these issues, most children are struggling with illiteracy. Here are a few pointers that might help

to eradicate the problem:

 Creation of awareness among people in the rural areas. Illiteracy especially in north

eastern has prompted people to miss out on opportunities such as health because they lack

the basic skills of reading and writing. For example, a while back ‘The Standard’,

covered an article of how some of the adults could not even understand what was written

on their hospital cards. Government agencies should partner with social institutions to

create awareness on issues such as the importance for education equality among girls and

boys, early pregnancies and female genital mutilation among other issues that are literacy

inhibited.

 Building of community-based libraries in the illiteracy prone areas will provide an equal

opportunity for both children and adults to access information. Lack of reading materials

is a primary factor leading to illiteracy. Community-based libraries will not only

contribute to individual growth but also social and economic development within the

region.

 A high number of parents are either middle-class or low-class income earner. The cost of

living has increased in the recent years making it difficult for some families to afford

such basic needs. The government should focus on an independent, free school

curriculum that allows young people to acquire the basic school skills. Continuous

disbursement of funds towards the education sector should also be considered.

 A shift from single model of learning that only focuses on the reading and writing skills

should be avoided. Institutions should incorporate a wider dimension that allows students

to explore their talents and skills. Various literacy practices are embedded in the different

personal circumstances, cultural processes and collective cultures that can improve the

overall skill set of a learner.

Conclusion

We still have a long way to go as a nation in eradicating illiteracy levels. However, we are on the

right path both on an individual level through donations of books and volunteering to create

awareness and supporting the government to contribute to the course. EndFragment