As COVID-19 spread in early 2020, the government of the Republic of Congo took precautionary measures in March, including the closure of schools, which affected over 1.4 million students in 9,400 education and training establishments.

By June, progressive deconfinement opened schools to students applying for state examinations. For all other students, the government prioritized learning from home until they could return safely to school.

A GPE COVID-19 grant of US$7 million for 2020-2022, implemented by UNICEF, helped the Republic of Congo ensure learning continuity for children at the basic education level.

The government, with the support of partners, developed and disseminated learning content via television, the internet, radio, SMS communication and printed materials, which continue to be used today.

Educational television

A WebTV platform called EaDTV Congo was created to broadcast educational programs online during school closures and reached over 27,600 students. Lessons were also broadcast on television–both public and private channels–reaching 186,600 students.

An application called “My lessons at home” was made available on EaDTV’s digital learning platform, which is implemented online by the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education (MEPPSA).

The Ministry, through the National Institute of Research and Pedagogical Action, also established links with mobile telephone companies to promote online educational applications, such as the EaDTV app.

After schools reopened, the EaDTV television service continued to thrive. Today, primary and secondary school lessons are broadcast daily nationwide, and a weekly news broadcast called “Le journal de l’école” communicates about education issues.

Reaching the most vulnerable children

Television reaches 92% of Congolese households in urban areas but only 42% in rural areas, while radio reaches around 80% in both urban and rural areas. Hence, MEPPSA ensured that educational lessons were broadcast via radio to reach more students.

In rural areas, 2,000 schools were equipped with 4,000 solar radio sets and created “Radio clubs” to better structure listening and feedback for students.

As mobile phones are used widely in both urban and rural areas of Congo, MEPPSA used SMS communication to inform households of the days and times of broadcasts. Radio lessons reached over 62,700 students.

For students without access to radio, for example, living in isolated rural areas, print materials were distributed to ensure educational continuity. Print materials were also distributed to students preparing for state examinations.

Safe school reopening

As schools reopened to all students, safety measures included providing 2,000 schools with hygiene kits including masks, hand washing devices, soap, hydroalcoholic gel and sanitation kits.

The schools also received shovels, buckets, chlorine and trash cans, and teachers received personal protective equipment (visor masks, gloves, etc.).

To help incentivize students to return to school, school canteens were organized for over 58,000 vulnerable children in the most at-risk areas.

A stronger education sector

The GPE-funded program helped train 4,000 teachers, administrative officials and other members of the education community in distance learning technologies as well as hygiene and sanitation at school.

In November 2022, almost 1,000 teachers and staff were trained on how to initiate school resilience plans based on the principles of education in emergency situations.

The introduction of distance learning platforms, notably via radio and TV, and the digital platform EaDTV, have strengthened the education system, which now uses a hybrid approach of face-to-face and distance learning.

Educational content has been digitized and interactive content has been developed, enhancing learning in both emergency and non-emergency contexts, and setting Congo on a path of digital transformation and generalization of the use of ICT in education and training.