By Dyson Mthawanji
Globally, DVV International promotes the brand of adult learning and education (ALE) as well as the concept of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge to improve one’s everyday life. It is not limited to formal education but encompasses learning in all aspects of life, across all ages, and in diverse settings. Adult learning and education is thereby seen as an integral part of lifelong learning.
However, in many countries where DVV International is working, it is still challenging to put the message across. In Malawi DVV International has therefore, in collaboration with the National Centre for Adult Literacy and Education (NACLAE), come up with the ‘Kuphunzira sikumatha’ campaign, a Malawian version of ‘lifelong learning’ in the local language Chichewa. `Kuphunzira sikumatha` literally means: Learning doesn’t stop. This campaign has helped many people, mainly in rural areas, to fully understand what lifelong learning is about.
Through the campaign individuals understand that learning is an on-going process and they should thus continue learning throughout their lives regardless of their current level of education and knowledge. For example, even those who did not acquire formal education are encouraged not to lose hope but to attain skills such as literacy and vocational skills.
Lifelong learning is particularly crucial for Malawi’s out-of-school populations and marginalised communities who lack access to formal education pathways. Currently, over 3.5 million youths and adults in Malawi require ALE services, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal Number Four on “access to opportunities for lifelong learning.”
An ALE stakeholder mapping exercise which DVV International recently conducted showed that a considerable number of potential rural target groups demonstrate a limited understanding of what constitutes ALE. Many were unaware of its broad scope, which extends beyond literacy and numeracy to include financial literacy, vocational training, and various capacity-building initiatives for adults. Thus, the ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’ campaign helps to enhance people’s understanding of ALE.
DVV International in Malawi promotes the ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’ slogan through its existing programmes such as Community Learning Centres and Integrated Adult Education. Additionally, DVV International promotes ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’ through involvement of the media. For example, the slogan ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’ was highlighted during this year’s ALE media awards ceremony held in Mzuzu. These annual ALE awards are given to journalists for excellent reporting on ALE.
The ‘Kuphunzira Sikumatha’ campaign and visibility will reach a climax on 8th September 2025 in Mchinji district when Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia will, for the first time, hold a joint celebration for the International Literacy Day with Chichewa-speakers as the main target group. It falls within the operationalisation efforts of the National Adult Literacy and Education Strategic Plan and the National Adult Literacy and Education Policy which were launched in 2023. It is encouraging to see that the members of the ALE Thematic Group have warmly embraced the local slogan and attach it to their various ALE activities. “Kuphunzira sikumatha” stickers are now visible in many educational institutions that offer ALE and beyond