By Pamela Munyoro.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – Schools have remained closed following an increase in the coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.
School lessons will be broadcast on the radio and other alternatives will be used to make it possible for the children to continue with their studies during this pandemic period.
The radio lessons are of importance as they give assurance that the learners will not forget the content gained over these past months and years of learning.
One of the community leaders, Kenneth Mavhura said that, “It is sad and frustrating how Zimbabwean radio stations are not prioritizing educational programs.”
Online learning has only being working for a few privileged students who attend private schools and for those in poor and remote areas the internet is a luxury as the schools and parents have limited resources to cater for online classes.
The infrastructure in some of the areas like those still living in huts, the online products are very limited for them and their children are suffering the most.
With the maximum of only 30% of the learners are benefiting from the online classes.
The cost of connecting the internet is very high, availability of gadgets per household as in most cases only the parent owns a smart phone and some need great assistance when operating these gadgets.
The coming in of the Radio learning makes it easier as it is user friendly, the costs are much affordable and a large group of learners can benefit at once compared to when one is on their laptop.
Mrs Thabela said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, is preparing emergency learning modules to use for at least six months which includes radio, online and hopefully in the near future television lessons.
She went on to say that, in the first phase, radio lessons would cover primary education, as content for high school learners id being produced.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will be applying for a radio license so that it can have a dedicated channel for learning.
Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr. Nick Mangwana, said the radio lessons have created renewed agency to increase the platforms’ penetration.
He also said, we are aware we not covering the whole country yet, but we are working hard to ensure there is widened reach in radio frequencies.
Mr Mangwana promised the country that radio lessons will now be a permanent fixture on the airwaves.
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