An article by Matteo Mwita (Capacity Development Advisor) and Rita Kahurananga (Programme and Partnerships Advisor) DVV International
Mectkrilda Kahindi, the District Adult Learning and Education Officer (DAEO) based in Kibaha district is a vibrant and confident lady. she stood tall as she walked into the venue, anticipating an engaging session with the Training of Trainers (ToF) on Functional Literacy was conducted to 160 Community Facilitators. Her energy is infectious as she greeted all the training participants, and this contributed to the training sessions that were interesting, littered with great examples from Mecktrilda herself.
The ToFs hailed from the coastal and central region of Dodoma across four wards in the districts of Kisarawe, Kongwa, Kibaha, and Mpwapwa. The training was supported by DVV International, which began by training District Training of Trainers (ToTs) in functional literacy. These ToTs then subsequently trained the Community Facilitators.
The training was a three-week training that started on 7th August 2023, and is to finish on 26th August 2023. What is remarkable, was that the ToFs themselves expressed an eager willingness to learn and find out ways of applying the training they received. What was important to note was that the training was a collaborative effort involving District Adult Education Officers (DAEOs) and a Capacity Development Advisor from DVV International, who co-facilitated the sessions. The role of the DAEOs is slowly coming into its own, as they were able to share experiences, learn from one another, and collectively enhance their training capabilities.
The main content of the training centred around the concept of functional literacy which is embedded within the REFLECT methodology. Community facilitators were guided through practical exercises, using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, to identify societal issues and generate literacy and numeracy concepts.
The outcomes of this training are set to benefit over 50 learners' groups and the communities in the four wards. By elevating literacy levels and nurturing basic skills, these efforts will contribute to enhancing income-generating activities.
Some of the groups had income-generating activities ranging from soapmaking group, batiq, vegetable and fruit vendors, and motorcycle drivers. A key learning outcome is to ensure application of what they are learned in the training. It is key to note that functional literacy in Tanzania is now gaining momentum, and with macro-level consensus building during the current review of Integrated Community-based Adult Learning Education (ICBAE) guidelines, adult and non-formal education will be given the attention it deserves.
The government of Tanzania has been able to identify key roles and responsibilities within the relevant ministries to spearhead the mandate stipulated in the National Adult Literacy and mass education Rolling out strategy (2021 – 2025). This is a milestone regarding institutionalization of ALE programmes. The strategy aims at strengthening the operations of adult literacy and mass education programmes with a long-term goal of eliminating illiteracy for improved livelihoods. (National Adult Literacy and mass education rolling out strategy 2021 – 2025).
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