Mwanza District Council chairperson Emmanuel Kapawe has asked development partners to mobilise resources to support adult literacy in the district.

He made the call on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 2022 International Adult Literacy Day at Kadoole Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nthache.

Kapawe bemoaned shortage of teaching and learning materials as well as lack of rural libraries and conducive infrastructure to conduct lessons.

“We need support from partners to reduce illiteracy levels in the district,” he said.

Kapawe commended Concern Worldwide for supporting the commemoration.

Concern Worldwide programmes manager Akunsitu Kananji said they will continue to provide support for adult literacy education in the district.

“People who are able to read and write can understand things easily, as such, they will be able to contribute effectively in development activities,” he said.

During the commemoration, the council awarded certificates to 300 learners who graduated from the 2020/21 and 2021/22 adult literacy classes in the area.

One of the learners, Alice Aluberito, said she was now able to read and write as well as count numbers.

“The numerical and writing skills will help me run my small-scale business and be able to vote without the help of officials,” she said.

Aluberito urged her fellow adults to join next year’s session to attain literacy skills.

In an earlier interview, Deputy Minister of Gender,

Community Development and Social Welfare Agnes Nkusa Nkhoma encouraged men and women who failed to attend formal school to embrace adult literacy.

“It is sad that 25 percent of the country’s population does not know how to read and write. Education is key to development,” she said.

The day was commemorated under theme ‘Transforming literacy learning spaces.’

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