By Blessings Mbewe

An international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) DVV International, has bemoaned inadequate funding channelled towards Adult Literacy Education (ALE) sector.

DVV International Regional Director for Southern Africa, David Harrington, said this on in Lilongwe during handover ceremony of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment worth K24 million to National Centre for Literacy and Adult Education (NACLAE) which is under the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare.

According to Harrington, the goals of the sector will remain uncertain as long as budget allocation to adult education remains low.

He said: “Adult education is perpetually under-funded and there is need to lobby and advocate so that there is a better understanding of the key role which adult education plays in development.”

Harrington added that despite the private sector working on sensitising the public about on adult literacy education, most people especially in rural settings are not aware of such education.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary for the Ministry responsible for Administration, Isaac Katopola said the donated ICT equipment will go along way in improving the Ministry’s development of Management Information System.

“Let me also take this opportunity to request other stakeholders in the ALE sector and other development partners to join hands with my ministry to support the roll out of the platform after the pilot.”

He further said there is need for more gadgets particularly tablets as well as more capacity building.

The ICT equipment, which include 65 tablets, four desktop computers and four printers, will be used in Nkhotakota, Mchinji, Lilongwe and Ntcheu districts for piloting of the Adult Literacy and Education Management Information System (ALEMIS).