UNICEF support to Covid-19 response in Eswatini
UNICEF was quick to act in support of governments’ efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 impact on education.
In February 2020, the Government of Eswatini declared COVID-19 as an emergency, among other measures, schools were closed to ensure children are protected from contracting the virus. Realizing that the school closure presents unprecedented risk to children’s education and wellbeing, UNICEF was quick to act in support of governments’ efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 impact on education.
“Our mandate is to ensure that every child learns, UNICEF will continue to support the Ministry of Education and Training to ensure all Eswatini children enjoy this right along with other rights” emphasized Dr Alice Akunga UNICEF Representative.
UNICEF continues to support the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to prepare and respond to the COVID -19 pandemic. To ensure that children continue to enjoy their right to education, the Ministry of Education and Training with support from UNICEF has initiated a programme on home-based learning for external examination grades (Grade7, Form 3 and Form 5).
The lessons on core subjects are aired on radio as more than 80 per cent of the population have access to radio and the same lessons are also aired on TV. Elective lessons are published in local daily newspapers (The Times and Swazi Observer).
“Learning in the comfort of my home in a relaxed environment in this boring lockdown is a good experience. My two elder sisters support me to listen to the lessons and further explain topics that I might not have understood during the lessons”
A Grade 7 pupil from Manzini region, Fezokuhle Yende (12 years), beams with excitement when asked of her experience with the radio and TV lessons. “Learning in the comfort of my home in a relaxed environment in this boring lockdown is a good experience. My two elder sisters support me to listen to the lessons and further explain topics that I might not have understood during the lessons”, remarked Fezokuhle.
To ensure inclusivity, the TV lessons are presented with a component on sign language interpretation to reach learners with such learning needs.
