The government has encouraged adults in Kajiado North Sub-County to embrace education, with 178 learners registered to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) this year.
While adressing the media, Adult Education Officer (AEO) Monicah Naisenya said the sub-county currently has eight recognized adult learning centres, both government-owned and privately run. She emphasized that the centres provide opportunities for those who missed out on formal schooling to acquire basic education, while also enabling dropouts to resume their studies.
“We are encouraging individuals who missed school to join these centres and learn. For those who dropped out, they can continue from where they stopped,” Naisenya said.
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Despite the progress, enrollment has dropped significantly. Naisenya noted that the average number of adult learners across the centres is now 750–780, down from nearly 2,000, forcing two centres to shut down. She added that women currently outnumber men in adult classes, reflecting historical inequalities in access to education.
Adult education in Kajiado North goes beyond academics. Learners are also taught life skills, with experts invited to share knowledge that can help them grow economically. However, challenges remain.
“We face shortages of facilities such as stationery, laboratories, and instructors. In some cases, learners of different levels are forced to study in the same classroom,” she explained.
Naisenya said the sector follows up with learners after KCSE, referring them to government bursary programmes for college or university education. She stressed the importance of protecting learners’ self-esteem to avoid stigma.
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“We discourage the use of the term Ngumbaru. Adult education is free, and we invite every adult who needs it to come fearlessly and improve their life,” she concluded.
Kajiado North has centres spread across Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Embulbul, Ngong town, and Kibiko. The initiative aligns with Kenya long-term vision to raise adult literacy to 80 percent, supported by programmes in literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and vocational training.
By Masaki Enock
