In order to increase and encourage the literacy rate especially among older women in Kumba, the Women Empowerment and Family Centre Kumba will in November 2014 introduce adult literacy classes in its curriculum, The Median has been informed.

The Director of the Women Empowerment and Family Centre, Lucia Ediage made this disclosure in a chat with this reporter in her office on Monday 20 October 2014.

The centre created mostly to train young girls to acquire professional skills in sewing, interior decoration, hotel management and catering, computer training and office automation, also recently introduced hair dressing in its study programs.

Lucia Ediage says that with the expansion of its training programs the centre has now virtually become a fully fledged vocational training centre and now offers end-of-course certificates recognized by the government.

Mrs. Ediage disclosed that come November, the Woman Empowerment and Family center will introduce adult literacy classes especially among the older women to encourage them to read and write, adding that the classes are also open to women’s groups.

She said the centre also now houses a day-care centre, a public restaurant and manual laundry sections.

But Mrs. Ediage regretted that some of the lofty projects she has for the centre can not be executed adequately due to the inadequate infrastructure, especially shortage of classrooms.

This notwithstanding, Mrs. Ediage called on the public to take advantage and make good use of the many programs offered at the institution, especially given that tuition is almost free.