UNICEF, Airtel Provide Remote Learning in Nigeria, Others

May 21, 2020
remote learning
Image Credit: Teacher Magazine

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it has partnered with Airtel Africa to provide access to remote learning for children in Nigeria and 12 other sub-Saharan countries.

This was disclosed by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Mr Fayaz King, on Wednesday. He added that the partnership will also provide cash assistance for their families via mobile cash transfers.

Mr King said that UNICEF and Airtel Africa would use mobile technology to benefit an estimated 133 million school age children currently affected by school closures in 13 countries across sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The partnership aims to benefit children and families in Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

“The adverse effects of school closures on children’s learning are well documented. Education experts warn that gains made in increasing access to learning in the previous decade are at risk of being lost or even reversed completely.

“In most poor households around the world, the pandemic means a reduced or total loss of income due to the movement restrictions in place.

“Remote learning, supported by digital tools, is a core part of UNICEF’s response to ensure continuity of learning for those children with access to technology at home,” he said in a statement.

He also noted that Airtel Africa would zero-rate selected websites hosting educational content, which would provide children with remote access to digital content at no cost.

According to the Fund’s director, the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting access to information and education at an unprecedented scale and worldwide children are not in school because of lockdown measures.

He said that children not going to school could lead to a number of increased vulnerabilities and setbacks.

“UNICEF is partnering with Airtel Africa to deliver better outcomes for children and families affected by widespread closures.

“The partnership will also provide UNICEF with a means to facilitate vital cash assistance to alleviate financial barriers for some of the most vulnerable families across the region.

“This includes many affected by the growing socio-economic hardships resulting from suspension of income-earning activities.

“This will help ensure families have additional resources to cope with the ongoing health and economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

On the part of Airtel Africa, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Raghunath Mandava said that some effective ways to cushion families from the effects of the crisis was by providing free internet access to selected educational websites.

He said this would help children keep up with their learning during the school closures.

“Alongside various other COVID-19-related initiatives and support that we are providing to governments and the community, we are glad to also collaborate with UNICEF to support children,” Mr Mandava said.

Adedapo Adesanya

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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