Gender-Inclusive Radio-Based Education in the DRC – Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This project aims to improve learning outcomes for out-of-school children, particularly girls and children with disabilities, in conflict-affected and marginalized communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project builds on a 4-year pilot project implemented by War Child Canada that used interactive radio instruction to reach learners unable to participate in the formal school system. The project aims to scale-up the radio-based education approach to ensure continuity of education for learners affected by school closure, and to support COVID-19 prevention messages.

Project activities include: (1) providing training to 100 education assistants and ministry personnel in Interactive Radio Learning and gender-responsive education; (2) broadcasting of accelerated learning curriculum in three new DRC provinces (Haut Katanga, Ituri and Tanganyika); (3) supporting learners through access to education assistants via toll-free hotline and on-air question and answer period following radio broadcasts; (4) developing and broadcasting of daily radio spots with messaging on health education, gender-based violence and the importance of girls’ education; and (5) providing water, sanitation and hygiene support to identified education structures based on rapid needs assessment to facilitate the back to school campaign. This project expects that an additional 366,937 (of which 184,569 are girls and 182,368 are boys) crisis-affected learners have access to quality education.