Supporting Distance Learning in Response to COVID-19 in Sierra Leone and Liberia

The project aims to support education for marginalized populations in Sierra Leone and Liberia in response to school closures and learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s innovative approach harnesses proven resources from traditional education programs with proven communication methods used in the agricultural sector through rural radio. Project activities include: (1) developing and distributing family literacy kits including books and a parent’s lesson plan to households in the target regions; (2) providing up-to-date and evidence-based information about COVID-19 transmission prevention; and (3) developing and transmitting radio programs including gender-responsive and learner-centred content for primary school students and their families. Project beneficiaries include approximately 70 000 children (50% of whom are girls) approximately 350 000 members of their families (of whom 50% are women) and 2 100 teachers (840F; 1 260M). The project will indirectly reach up to 637 837 Liberians (of whom 50% are women) and 687 989 Sierra Leoneans (of whom 50% are women) who live in the districts covered by the program and with access to the radio broadcasts.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased provision of gender-responsive learning materials for primary school students and their families including information about the COVID-19 crisis and preventative health measures; (2) increased interaction through radio between the education sector and community groups of parents and caregivers that includes information about the COVID-19 crisis and preventative health measures; and (3) improved attitudes expressed towards gender equality and girls’ empowerment by girls boys and their families.