Since the beginning of June, Studio Tamani, Fondation Hirondelle's programme in Mali, has been broadcasting radio lessons created with education specialists for children aged 5 to 10 who have dropped out of school because of the security and health crisis. A partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Malian Ministry of Education, financed by Swiss Solidarity.
Each lesson lasts 25 minutes and uses audio capsules developed and/or validated by the Ministry of Education for years 1, 2, 3 and 4 of primary school (for children mainly aged 5 to 10). The project does not pretend to replace school. Its purpose is to strengthen the learning situation and make up the training deficit of children who are outside the school cycle. It is essential to provide children with a continuous link to learning in order to avoid long-term dropouts that would jeopardize their chances of returning to school when the situation permits.
Distribution of the 120 lessons for levels 1 and 2 began on June 1, for a period of six months, at a rate of one hour per day from Monday to Friday (two 25-minute lessons per day). These lessons were developed by the Norwegian Refugee Council with pedagogical experts from the Directorate of Basic Education of the Malian Ministry of Education. Broadcasting is provided by Studio Tamani's network of 75 partner radio stations across Mali, connected by satellite to Studio Tamani's studios in Bamako. The broadcasting schedule has been set between 10 and 11 a.m., with rebroadcasts according to the possibilities of local radio stations. The lessons are also broadcast in the afternoon by Mikado FM, the United Nations radio station in Mali. They are also published on the Studio Tamani website and broadcast by WhatsApp.
Broadcasting of the 70 lessons for levels 3 and 4 will begin in January 2021. These lessons will be produced directly by Studio Tamani with the Directorate of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education.
The implementation of this programme is made possible thanks to funding from Swiss Solidarity, the Swiss humanitarian foundation which collects donations for people in distress.