Early learning radio programmes hailed

Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare chief child development officer Pauline Simwaka has expressed satisfaction with Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) programmes aired on community radio stations in the country.

Speaking in a telephone interview yesterday, she said the programmes are helping children in community-based childcare centres get standardised and harmonised lessons.

Simwaka said: “Most caregivers in the country are not qualified; hence, the IRI programmes help them deliver harmonised lessons.

“We thank Save the Children for helping government to engage community radio stations to air the programmes.”

In a separate interview yesterday, Save the Children senior area operations and humanitarian manager Steve Kamtimaleka also thanked the stations for airing the programmes for free.

“Since community radio stations started airing the  programmes in September 2021, over 70 programmes have been aired translating to about K53 million. This means 21 community radio stations in Malawi have contributed this much to the programme,” he said.

Kasungu Community Radio Station manger Jones Banda said they air the programmes for free as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Meanwhile, community radio stations and government are planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to map the way forward in airing the programmes.

Save the Children initiated the IRI programme but handed it over to government in 2020.