Free classes for illiterate adults in Durban
It remains a source of concern that about 3.9 million adults are considered illiterate many years after democracy, according to Stats SA.
DESPITE remarkable progress in the efforts to eradicate illiteracy in South Africa, nearly four million adults were reported to be functionally illiterate in 2021.
Illiteracy among South African children rose from 78% in 2016 to 81% in 2021, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). As we observe Literacy Awareness Month in September, annually, we will provide you with Durban-based centres offering free education to illiterate adults.
“In 2022, the South African adult illiteracy rate was 10.2%, indicating an improvement of 1.9 percentage points from 2019 and a significant reduction of 6 percentage points over the past decade. However, it remains a source of concern that about 3.9 million adults are considered illiterate many years after democracy,” Stats SA says.
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In a bid to eradicate the scourge, the Constitution of South Africa recently introduced a Kha Ri Gude Literacy Campaign, which states that “Everyone has the right to a basic education, including adult basic education.” (Chapter 2, Clause 29, 1a.) The campaign was intended to reduce the national rate of illiteracy by 50% by 2015. This was in line with the government’s Education for All (EFA) commitment made in Dakar in 2000 as well as its commitment to achieve.
The aim of Kha Ri Gude is to empower (with skills development) socially disadvantaged people to become self-reliant and to be able to participate more effectively in the economy and society. According to the Department of Basic Education, education is fundamental for one to reach the professional career of their dreams.
Here are Durban-based centres offering free education to illiterate adults:
- Adult Education and Training (AET) Programme at Adam’s College: This allows adults to learn without having to pay a cent for classes, and once they have completed their studies, they receive a certificate, which assists them in finding work.
- Adult and Community Education (A&CE) Unit at Durban University of Technology (DUT): The vision of DUT in establishing its A&CE Unit is to enhance the provision of adult education for ordinary people living in KwaZulu-Natal. For queries, you can phone 031 373 2000 or send an email to careers@dut.ac.za.
- Centre for Adult Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): This centre stresses the need to cater to the needs of the millions of adults and youth who are unemployed, poorly educated and not studying. For queries, you can call 031 260 1111 or send an email to Ntokozo Phakathi (PhakathiN@ukzn.ac.za).
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