By Dyson Mthawanji
The Germany Embassy in Malawi has touted Adult Learning and Education (ALE) as key for social and economic development of Malawi.
The Chief of the Germany Development Cooperation who is also the acting German ambassador to Malawi, Dr. Andreas Hartmann, said this on Friday in Lilongwe during a ceremony at which Malawi’s ALE stakeholders bade farewell to DVV International Regional Director for Southern Africa, Gerhard Quincke, who is retiring and passing over his position to Dr. Johann Heilmann.
Hartmann said Malawi should provide lifelong learning opportunities to Malawians that are out of formal schooling system to move forward socially and economically.
“There are persons who cannot go back to school; the only way to assist them is to give them non-formal ways of education and training. ALE is key for national development,” he said.
Hartmann added that younger and older adults need opportunities and physical locations where they can get necessary knowledge and skills.
“Investing in the capacities of up to five million persons out of school is an investment in the future of the country as a whole. This is a public task, therefore civil society and private sector should help here and there,” Hartmann said.
During Quincke’s tenure, Malawi saw extension of ALE work in various areas. For example, the German organisation expanded its Community Learning Centres to new districts such as Mchinji and Ntcheu, while at the same time, it expanded Integrated Adult Education programme to Ntchisi and Dowa.
Quincke also took a lead in localizing the global lifelong learning campaign by branding it ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’, a slogan which has become a national anthem among ALE stakeholders across the country.
In his remarks, Quincke commended ALE stakeholders in Malawi for their continuous commitment by taking great steps such as the development of the National ALE Policy and Strategy which were officially launched in 2023.
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Director of Technical Services, Dalitso Chikwembani, said government banked on literate citizens to easily implement its policies.
“It takes someone who is literate to access the information about government policies, interpret and participate in implementation, as such, the government is committed to eradicate illiteracy and empower the communities with skills that can support their livelihoods,” said Chikwembani.
During the farewell event, the DVV International Director based at the organization’s international headquarters in Germany, Uwe Gartenschlaeger, described Quincke as a great asset for the organisation in as far as ALE is concerned.
Speaking through a pre-recorded video, Gartenschlaeger said: “You [Gerhard Quincke} are respected as a leading expert in education especially in adult education, lifelong learning, development cooperation and related fields. We will miss you. We will not forget you; we will keep in contact.”