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Training Workshop on Adult Literacy Held

Jan 13, 2009, 6:47 AM | Article By: Njie Baldeh

A one-day training workshop on adult literacy was held recently at the Each One Teach One office along

Kairaba Avenue
behind Commium. The training workshop which was organised by EOTO, a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with National Literacy and Debating Society NLDS, which is dedicated to promoting Literacy in The Gambia. It brought together parents, teachers, youths, boys and girls from different walks of life.

Speaking on the importance of the training, the director of EOTO, Madame Shelley Fofana, said the aim of the training was to enable adults who cannot attend regular school to reach a high literacy level in a short period of time. Many adults cannot find the time to attend school because of work or family obligations, she added. She however added that these same parents are often embarrassed to show that they cannot read in front of others, noting that this program allows them to set their own schedule for learning and to advance at their own pace.

For his part, the president of the National Literacy and Debating Society, Mr. Yerro Mballow, revealed that literacy is an issue that requires the utmost attention at national, regional and international levels. Mr. Mballow said literacy affects all aspects of society, especially health. He also added that being able to read improves ones chances of gaining successful employment, better financial management in business, and home, promotes voting and the spread of democratic principles. He said it also lowers birth rate and infant mortality as well as allows for better health choices and more. Other speakers included Mr. Lamin Jammeh, thanked all the parents, boys and girls for their participation during the training and urged them to utilise the knowledge gained.