Burkina Faso: radio lessons while schools remain closed

The suspension of education in Burkina Faso due to COVID-19 has led to the closure of more than 20,000 schools, affecting over four million students. While only students aged 6 to16 years old from primary and post-primary schools set to take exams will return to school on 1^st June 2020, UNICEF and its partners are working with the government to develop additional educational solutions to ensure the continuity of education for the vast majority of children.

Steve, 12 years old, is a student in the CM2 class at Saint Marius Primary School in Ouahigouya. He was out of school for over eight weeks because of the COVID-19 epidemic.

"One day, dad told me to listen to a radio programme for students. When I tuned in, I found it to be very interesting and useful for those of us at home while the schools are closed. The next day, I invited my friends to come and listen to the radio at my place," says Steve.

The Diocesan Communication Centre, with technical and financial support from UNICEF, and in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages (MENAPNL), has initiated this radio education project to maintain the link between students and the education system.

Before the radio lesson starts, Steve goes over his schoolwork in a shed while waiting for his classmates to join him for the lessons broadcasted on Notre Dame du Sahel radio station.

And then, silence! As soon as the opening credits of the show begin, the broadcaster introduces the programme "Welcome to ‘I want to learn’, that teaches numeracy, reading and writing, wherever you are."

The children listen carefully while taking notes. At the end of the broadcast, Steve and his classmates talk about what they learned and the exercises they have to do.

Initially designed for children living in areas where schools are closed due to security issues, the radio education programme has broadened its target audience following the closure of all the schools. They will then be ready, just like Steve, to take their exams at the end of the school year.

Catherine Sawadogo, teacher at Saint Marius Primary School, values the radio lessons: "We were already working hard to raise the children’s attainment. And now that they are in lockdown at home, we have no assurance that they will continue to study. School by radio is very welcome."

The Radio Education Programme brings together more than 15 radio stations throughout the country, including Ouagadougou. According to Father Victor Ouédraogo, the project coordinator, radio lessons are an appropriate method of ensuring the continuity of children's education. "We hope that parents will become more involved in supporting their children in their learning through radio education."

The Radio Education Programme is implemented with the support of the global Education Cannot Wait fund, among others.