Towards improving access to education during the COVID-19 pandemic and continuous closure of schools, Human Development Initiatives is set to distribute transistor radio to school students in Lagos.
The transistor radio will be distributed to girls in 15 schools across Lagos State with focus on schools in impoverished communities and inclusive schools.
This was disclosed by Samuel Ajayi, Programmes Officer, HDI, during an online briefing with teachers on the modalities for the distribution of the transistor radio to the students.
Ajayi disclosed that the initiative was necessitated because some students couldn’t access the audio-visual and E-learning programmes that have been put in place by the state government, adding that it is important for students to keep learning despite such barriers.
“There are students who do not have Television sets or internet access to join teaching on TV or various online platforms and it is important to ensure that we do not neglect them at this period.
“We are targeting most vulnerable students, those who are not participating in the online classes that are ongoing at the moment.
“We believe that with the provision of the transistor radio and batteries, students who have not been able to access education because of certain barriers that the existing platforms provided, would be able to continue learning,” Ajayi explained.
He urged the teachers to ensure that due process is followed to enable the specific targets of students benefit.
Funso Owassanoye, Executive Director, HDI disclosed that the beneficiaries would be 40 school girls in 15 schools across the state, totaling 600 school girls.
She noted that the beneficiaries would be members of the existing safe space club members that have been created in the selected schools.
She urged the teachers to ensure they place their role that the girls are not denied education because of the pandemic, adding that, “teachers should try more and ensure the girls are able to reach their maximum potentials.