Learning over the airwaves

The Covid-19 crisis has made it harder to access education. The most disadvantaged and vulnerable children are also the most likely to have been affected - like Pinda, a young Malian girl helped by HI.

Pinda, who is sensory impaired, was given a solar-powered radio to follow the lessons broadcast during the health crisis. | © HI

The onset of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020 caused severe disruption to the lives of people around the world. But for many vulnerable children living in extreme poverty, the closing of classrooms brought their education to a sudden and complete end.

From March to September 2020, most schools remained closed in Mali, and only a small number of students were allowed into classrooms until December 2020.

The only way to access education was through the television and radio. Thanks to the Inclusive Education in the Sahel project led by HI, Pinda was given a solar-powered radio to follow her lessons over the airwaves.

"This initiative really helped me supervise her education at home while the schools were closed," says Pinda's aunt. “I left school in Primary Year 6, but I knew enough to help Pinda without a problem.”

For Pinda, following lessons on the radio not only allowed her to retain what she had learned before schools closed, it also kept her busy at home.

Date published: 20/04/21