The Directorate is responsible for coordination and management of programmes and activities in the adult education. Specifically, the Directorate functions are to;

• Formulate and implement ACE Policies
• Promote multiple literacy through alternative provision of basic adult education programmes
• Provide Education through alternative education approaches
• Promote general Adult Education programmes
• Provision of Basic literacy to out of school children
• Coordination of the implementation of Nomadic Education and Alternative Basic Education and Training in Kenya
• Provision of Alternative Education to Marginalized, hard-to-reach and vulnerable groups
• Development of guidelines on competencies in Alternative Basic Education programmes
• Manage ACE Assessment and Examinations
• Governance and Management of Alternative Basic Education Centres
• Development of ACE programmes
• Enhance community empowerment programmes through partnerships and collaboration with all stakeholders
• Development of ACE Instructional Materials
• ACE Teacher Management
• Management of strategic partnerships and linkages
• Enhance Governance and Management of MDTIs
• Advice the Minister on matters relating to teachers for Alternative Basic Adult & Continuing Education.