War Child Canada

Published purpose

P006963001: 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 four-year pilot project that uses interactive radio instruction (IRI) to reach learners that are unable to participate in the formal school system. In conflict-affected areas, schools are often damaged or used as militia bases, and fear of abduction by armed groups as well as extensive population displacement has led many children to miss out on education or experience disruption in their studies. It is estimated that 7.3 million school-aged children between the ages of 5 and 17, including 3.9 million girls, are out of school. Project activities include: (1) expanding the curriculum for IRI to include the full cycle of primary school grades; (2) building the capacity of officials from the ministries of Education and Social Affairs, as well as teachers and education assistants, to provide alternative learning services to out-of-school children that are gender-responsive, inclusive, and adapted to crisis and conflict-affected contexts; (3) establishing 10 IRI learning centres in three provinces (South Kivu, Kinshasa and a third province to be determined); (4) studying IRI as a means of delivering gender-responsive alternative education to out-of-school children and children with disabilities, including girls; and (5) conducting mobilization activities led by community members and targeting mothers, fathers, youth and key community actors to promote behavioural change and redefine social norms related to gender, the status of girls and the importance of their education. Through the project, it is expected that approximately 1,250 girls and 1,250 boys between the ages of 9 and 16 complete a full year of education delivered in the IRI centres, with the eventual full broadcast of the IRI program potentially reaching over 700,000 children in three target provinces. It is also expected that approximately 6,600 (minimum 50% women) community members participate in community engagement sessions, and 80 stakeholder groups be engaged in consultations on the national IRI curriculum and planning for sustainability of the IRI approach. P006963002: 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.