How the humble radio helped educate children during the Ebola crisis

Rugiatu Kamara, 12, was one of the children who enjoyed classes over the radio during this time. Her mother Baby Kamara was relieved when she heard about this unique way to ensure her daughter did not miss out on school. She said at the time:

As school remains closed, the radio teaching programme is a blessing to our children, so we will take every advantage of it”.

The Radio and TV Teaching Programme started in October 2014, as the Ebola virus disrupted the academic year of all pupils in the country. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports first thought of the idea to broadcast lessons over the radio in order to help children while they were at home missing important classes.

World Vision jumped at the idea, as it had been considering something similar.

“We are happy as we are thinking alike. This is something we were thinking of doing in the future, but as you have come up with it, we are in full support of you” said Leslie Scott of World Vision Sierra Leone, as he was handing over 100 solar lamps and a computer to the Minister of Education to kick start the programme in 2014.

Rugiatu’s mother Baby normally sells food stuffs while her husband works at the Pelican Water Taxi in Aberdeen, however, during the Ebola outbreak as flights were no longer landing in Sierra Leone, the Water-Taxi business came to a halt, which rendered Rugiatu’s father jobless during that time.

“Ebola has made me stop going to school and also my mother does not sell anymore and my father does not go to work anymore”. Said Rugiatu

World Vision staff member Jonathan Bundu visted Rugiatu during this time, where he saw first hand the positive impact the radio classes were having on her. He recalls

“As the radio teaching started, Rugiatu smiled, hurriedly took out her book and then listened to the radio. The voice from the radio introduced the lesson. “Good day Boys and Girls. How are you? Today’s lesson is on addition….” the man said over the radio. Rugiatu listened attentively, as she did not want to miss any of the lessons.

As he continued to speak, the frequency began to flutter. Worried she might miss out, she lifted the radio closer to her ears” I don’t want to miss anything as there will be an assignment after the lesson” she said.

The lessons were taught over 28 community radio stations throughout the country and also on national television. The programme was divided into two shifts; primary 1-6 teaching programmes started broadcasting from 10:00 am for an hour and thirty minutes every day dealing with various topics right through the week. The secondary broadcast started at 2pm and also ran for an hour and a half on various topics. All lessons were finished with an assignment given to the pupils over the radio, much like homework.

As the teaching came to an end, Rugiatu wrote her assignment and her mother removed the batteries and kept them, to keep the power from draining. As she left for her dinner, Rugiatu said

“Despite the Ebola outbreak…I am still learning, thanks to World Vision”.

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