DVV International and MISA Malawi have trained fifteen media managers from the leading media houses on Adult Learning and Education (ALE). These included editors, sub-editors and senior reporters.
The training which took place at Mtolankhani House in Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, on December 7, 2020 attracted the journalists from print, electronic and online media houses.
DVV International has been working with the media on the promotion of ALE since it started its operations in Malawi in 2018. In 2020, DVV International in partnership with MISA Malawi introduced ALE Media award which aims at awarding excellency in as far as reporting of ALE is concerned. Therefore, the media training equipped the journalists with ALE knowledge which will enhance their reporting on this education subsector.
During the half day training, DVV International Regional Director for Southern Africa, David Harrington, gave an overview of what ALE encompasses and means. He shed light on the misconception that exists in most circles that ALE refers to adult literacy or sukulu za Kwacha. He also gave a clarification that ALE consists of acquisition of both hard and soft skills.
One of the participants, Nyanthepa Community Radio Station Manager, David Guta, described the training as eye-opening in as far as knowledge about ALE is concerned.
Guta said: “The training has changed my perception and understanding on Adult Learning and Education. Initially, I thought ALE is only about literacy classes. I feel more knowledgeable now as I have learnt that ALE is beyond literacy. This knowledge is very important for ALE story writing.”
He added that the training has opened his eyes to see that ALE is a developmental issue. “It is from this understanding that my passion for ALE has been ignited. Our radio station stands for community development. We will therefore incorporate ALE in our radio programming to ensure we have able and knowledgeable adults contributing to the development of Nsanje District,” Guta said.
MISA Malawi Programme Officer, Moses Chitsulo, urged the journalists to use the gained knowledge in their reporting on ALE. He said the knowledge should help the journalists to write impactful ALE stories which can help in raising the awareness on ALE in Malawi.
MISA Malawi is one of 11 chapters of the Media Institute of Southern Africa which promotes and defends media freedom and freedom of expression across southern Africa
DVV International was holding the media training for the second time as the organization also held a similar training in July 2019. The organization held the training with funding from its traditional donor, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Top
Print