Reaching learners through the radio during Covid-19

In partnership with UNICEF and the Zambian Ministry of General Education, we have adapted our lessons for radio broadcast, in order to reach large numbers of learners during school closures. The project began as an emergency response to school closures due to COVID 19, aimed specifically at supporting vulnerable children in hard-to-reach places that have no access to internet services or television. 

Phase 1 of the project has involved the adaptation and recording of lessons for radio broadcast for learners in grades 1 to 7. Content for the last five weeks of Term 1 and the first three weeks of Term 2 was identified and compressed into one lesson per week across three subject areas: Mathematics, Literacy and Integrated Science. Lessons for grades 1 to 4 were translated into the seven official local languages: Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Kaonde and Nyanja.

Since the shows commenced airing in July, more than eighty programmes have been broadcast by each of ten different radio stations, located across ten project districts. A selection of these radio stations will soon run live radio shows. This will provide real-time feedback from the community.

Our implementing partners have reported that the programmes have been greatly appreciated: communities have requested that the shows be repeated, and parents have asked that the programmes continue, even in the absence of COVID-19.