6 million adults illiterate, government urged to act

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

The government has been urged to invest more in adult education programs to reduce the number of illiterate adults in Tanzania which at the moment is estimated to be a shocking 6 million people.

Acting Director at the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) Dr Fidelis Mafumiko, was speaking at the 49th graduation ceremony of the institute held earlier this week in Dar es Salaam. A total of 384 graduates were awarded certificates, ordinary diplomas and degrees in various fields.


“Adult education plays a crucial role in national development and more efforts are needed to improve it,” he said.

“We have well trained graduates who will be dispatched to various areas but the government should do more with the sector in order to enable them reach more illiterate adults,” he urged.

He asked the government to work on challenges which have been facing the institute for a number of years including the very Act that was used to establish the institute, the appointment of its management and apparently its entire structure. Dr Mafumiko hailed the support from various public and private institutions which have been helping the institute’s development initiatives.

Some of the organisations recognised are, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Common wealth of Learning, World Bank, the University of Dar es Salaam and governments of Sweden and Norway.

He also noted that the institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training has established an ‘open secondary education system’ commonly known as PESH and which at the moment 1,286 students have already joined in 22 different registered stations in Dar es Salaam. 

“Assessment shows that the beneficiaries are receptive, thankful and appreciative to the programme whose tuition fee is pegged at 150,000/- ," Mafumiko explained. 
The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Consolata Mgimba, said the government is intent on addressing challenges facing the institute but subject to availability of resources.

“The government is aware of the challenges facing this institute and others, we will work in collaboration with partners to meet the challenges and enable more people access education,” she said.