What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country, for example)?
Rising on Air is an initiative launched in numerous West African countries with its headquarters in Sierra Leone. It is implemented by the Rising Academy Network using a high-quality curriculum adapted for distance learning. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme provides accessible education to learners deprived of face-to-face instruction.
The project also targets refugees, migrants and out-of-school children to provide them with quality education in a critical situation. Moreover, it benefits children who cannot attend school due to specific circumstances unrelated to the pandemic. The radio format was preferred to provide undisrupted education to learners in countries with limited Internet access.
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
Rising on Air offers materials in the form of lesson scripts and pre-recorded audio lessons, covering content for elementary through secondary school. The programme is updated continuously. The lessons cover literacy/language, arts and numeracy/maths. In addition to radio lessons, SMS options and printable worksheets are available free of charge. The curriculum is taught in 20-week units with no formal summative evaluation.
To use the materials provided by Rising on Air, an organization follows a three-step process. Firstly, it downloads scripts ready to be aired on the radio. Next, it edits the scripts to fit the local context. Finally, local professionals re-record the adapted materials. The programme’s curriculum is structured as Radio ECE, which provides lessons on foundational skills for preschool learners; Radio Maths, which addresses numeracy; and Radio Reading, which target learners from elementary through secondary school, assisting in preparation for national exams.
Although the design of the lessons does not imply the need for a facilitator, some organizations choose to deliver the lessons in small groups with the help of facilitators. Radio and phones are the most used delivery tools, with other formats of material provision being social networks and other internet platforms. The pre-recorded audio files are available for download for later use.
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
Successful programme implementation applies global partnerships and involves different organizations and individuals from the private and public sectors. The Rising Academy Network leads the initiative, with other stakeholders being Creative Commons (an American NGO), government branches of countries involved in the initiative, educational institutions and local schools. Other actors include We Can Lead, Global Giving and numerous foundations – UBS Optimus Foundation, Save the Children, Innovation Unit, Ark, Results for Development, The Solon Foundation and many others.
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Who does it benefit and how?
More than 10 million children benefit from the programme in 25 countries. The lessons are designed to be adapted for different language settings and formats. The content is differentiated, making it accessible for students with various skill levels and abilities.
The programme supports at-home learning and helps learners enhance their skills according to their own needs and interests, which acts as a motivating factor. Moreover, the SMS format is used to send out encouraging messages to students or provide additional instructions, contributing to their motivation. The initiative prevents children from dropping out of school successfully and is designed to be as accessible as possible with little reliance on technology. Since the Rising Academy Network receives donations, materials can be accessed free of charge. The programme also considers teachers’ needs for professional development, offering radio training to educators.
References
UIL, 2021. Rising on Air, West Africa. [Online] Hamburg, UIL. Available at: https://uil.unesco.org/case-study/effective-practices-database-litbase-0/rising-air-west-africa#_ftn3 [Accessed 11 December 2021].