Free Literacy Program Launched in Benue: Providing residents with new educational opportunities

Residents of Gbatse, a rural community in Ushongo LGA of Benue State, are celebrating a major leap in literacy as at least 183 adults have been enrolled in a newly launched free education initiative.

The programme, titled Better Life Initiative’s Adult Literacy Project, is a collaboration involving Upswing and Revival Prayer Outreach. It provides free classes from primary one through junior secondary three, targeting adults who missed out on formal education.

The initiative was officially inaugurated on Thursday at Gbatse Community Primary School, sparking excitement throughout the area.

According to Educa.ng’s grassroots education feature, the programme’s overwhelming enrollment reflects a long-standing hunger for education among residents.

Maureen Okechukwu, Country Director of Upswing for Better Life Initiative, expressed her delight at the community’s response.

“The turnout exceeded our expectations. It’s inspiring to see how eager this community is to learn,” Okechukwu remarked.

She explained that Gbatse was chosen due to its high illiteracy levels and strong community leadership support.

The Zakir of Gbatse Kingdom, Zika Pila Jeremiah III, launched the initiative and urged learners to remain consistent, emphasizing that education is vital for eradicating poverty and driving community development.

Apostle Wisdom Ezenyi of Revival Prayer Outreach explained that the initiative grew from a spiritual outreach into an educational lifeline after seeing the community’s need for literacy.

Starting with 183 learners, the organizers have ambitious plans for expansion. The monarch’s donation of the school facility was pivotal in bringing the programme to life.

In addition to literacy classes, the programme has funded the education of several students, with seven adults enrolled in formal secondary schools and two sitting for Junior WAEC exams.

Community elder Baba Ahua Nyagba expressed gratitude, assuring continued local support for the programme.

Residents remain optimistic, viewing the project as a potential game-changer for community-wide progress.