To support Madagascar's national radio schools initiative, UNICEF Madagascar has procured 20,000 self-powered Lifeline radios from Freeplay Energy. A project of the Ministry of Education, the radio programmes will reinforce teacher's existing efforts and curriculum.
With no electricity in rural areas and batteries expensive or unavailable, the Lifeline radio ensures reliable, daily access to the school lessons. Project Partners: UNICEF, Madagascar Ministry of Education
Students now receive a range of lessons including English and mathematics. With only 12% of children in rural areas completing primary school and 45% of the population younger than 14, improvements in education are vital for the social and economic development of the country.
With no electricity in rural areas and batteries expensive or unavailable, the Lifeline radio will ensure reliable, daily access to the school lessons. The Lifeline is powered by a detachable solar panel or by Freeplay's patented wind-up technology. Given its excellent speaker quality, up to 40 learners can listen easily. It is estimated that the programmes will reach hundreds of thousands of learners and their teachers.
The school broadcasts began at the beginning of the school term in September 2007. This important initiative underscores Freeplay Energy's mission to ensure that the developing world has dependable access to energy. In Madagascar, access to energy allows information and education to be disseminated to the areas and people in Madagascar who would otherwise not be reached.
