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. The additional funding allows for new activities and for reaching a greater number of beneficiaries. 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; (3) developing and transmitting radio programs including gender-responsive and learner-centred content for primary school students and their families; (4) introducing a ‘Reading Teacher’ in the form of recorded radio program for classrooms aligned with school curriculum; and (5) providing teacher training on Gender Responsive Pedagogy active learning and lesson planning that support language learning. The increased funding will enable the project to reach an additional 60 000 children (50% of whom are girls) and 2 158 teachers for a total reach of 130 000 children (50% of whom are girls) approximately 350 000 members of their families (of whom 50% are women) and 4 258 teachers (2 989F; 1 269M). The project expects to 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.