Kharas – During the World Adult Literacy Day commemoration, Governor Aletha Frederick emphasized the critical role of multilingual education in fostering peace and enhancing societal cohesion.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Governor Frederick highlighted the importance of accessible adult literacy programs in the Kharas region, advocating for educational inclusivity across all ages and backgrounds. “To achieve these goals, collaboration is essential. We must work closely with local governments, non-government organizations, educational institutions, and community leaders to create comprehensive literacy programs tailored to our unique needs,” she said.

Frederick also pointed out the peace-building capacity of literacy, especially in culturally diverse regions like Kharas. “In today’s world, where conflicts often arise from misunderstandings between cultures, literacy plays a crucial role in building peace,” she noted, adding that multilingualism significantly contributes to social harmony and unity. Learning in one’s mother tongue while acquiring other languages enables individuals to understand and appreciate their own culture alongside others.

The governor also described how Kharas has the potential to implement multilingual education programs that reflect its linguistic diversity and promote unity. “Programs that promote literacy through storytelling or community dialogues can help dismantle stereotypes and build bridges among diverse groups within our region,” she said, envisioning environments where people of different linguistic backgrounds collaborate and learn from one another.

Chief Education Officer Seraphine Hangue added to the discussion by noting the evolution of adult literacy programs to include skills development, crucial for economic empowerment. “We now offer skills development such as how to run a business so that these individuals can put bread on the table. We have two skill development centers in the region—one at Warmbad and another at Aroab,” she informed.