Kenya Adult Learners' Association

About KALA

The voice of adult learners in Kenya

The Kenya Adult Learners’ Association (KALA), was formed in 1990 during the International Literacy Year. At the forefront of the association’s formation was Magdalene Gathoni Motsi, who grew up as an illiterate adult. She was able to fight her way through to obtainin primary, secondary education and post-secondary education certificates.

Her idea of forming an association that would provide an avenue for adult learners in Kenya and beyond to articulate their issues was received with enthusiasm as the general decline in the provision of adult education in Kenya made many adult learners shy from the programme.
The formation of KALA empowered learners to take an active part in adult literacy programmers’ through mobilization and economic empowerment programmers as well as by democratizing adult education programmes.
The Association forms a vital resource base for innovative programmes such as economic empowerment, functional adult literacy activities, and continuing education, which catalyze the participation of adult learners in adult education programmes in Kenya.

KALA understands the need for continuing education and learning of skills for adults (who are mainly women) and youths as links to income generation, productive work, and family health.
The Association, therefore, serves as a platform to articulate the perspective of adult learners on literacy by taking part in policy and implementation of the adult education programmes in Kenya.