LAGOS TRAINS FACILITATORS TO BOOST ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMME

In furtherance of the Lagos State Government objective of addressing the problem of adult literacy in the State, a total of 250 facilitators have been trained to enable them to teach illiterate adults under the Kick Illiteracy Out of Lagos ‘’Eko N’ Keko’’  (Lagos is Learning) Programme using the Andragogical method.

Speaking at the programmes, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh said that the EKO N’KE KO Programme was launched last year in line with the policy thrust of the present administration to reduce illiteracy to the barest minimum.

Bank-Olemoh, who was presented by the Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Kemi Kalesanwo, said that the success recorded since the introduction of the programme necessitated the training of 1,000 new facilitators to man the additional 1,000 new Adult Literacy Centres across the State.

“In the year 2015, the enrolment rate of adult learners was 7,859 while in the year 2016, the enrolment of learners stood at 12,123 and completers rate 11,854; thus in order to boost the literacy rate, a target of 95% literacy level was set in 2016 with a projected achievement by the year 2019. Therefore, it was decided that the total number of 532 literacy centres operating in the State as at that time be increased by 1,000,” Bank-Olemoh explained.

He said that no fewer than 750 new facilitators have been trained on the Andragogical method of teaching adult learners, adding that the first batch of 250 facilitators was trained early this year, 250 others were trained last month, while the present batch of 250 facilitators makes up the 750 facilitators that have been trained so far.

The Special Adviser emphasized that Adult Literacy programme is free and called on all adult illiterates in the State to key into the Eko N’ke Ko Programme to acquire the education that will enhance their knowledge and communication skills.

The Adult Literacy Centres are located in all local government and local council development areas, some faith-based organizations, marketplaces, motor parks, mechanic villages, abattoirs and schools.