Community Learning Kiosks – a key COVID-19 adaptation in RAISE Above Project
The Real Assets through Improved Skills and Education for adolescent girls (RAISE Above) Project is implemented by Plan Philippines with support from Dubai Cares. It aims to increase realization of rights to education and skills for work and life among adolescent girls and young women and men in the rural province of Western Samar, Philippines. It targets adolescent girls, young women and men who are out of school or in school but at risk of dropping out of school.
As in much of the world, government closed all schools at all levels in March 2020 affecting over 27 million learners. To stem learning loss, the government in collaboration with partners like Plan developed the basic education learning continuity plan which condensed the curriculum into most essential learning competencies; and allowed for multiple learning delivery modalities: such as online, radio, modular, home learning or blended learning depending on context. In rural Western Samar, the main modality was modular distance learning – with most children learning from home using self-learning modules. Modules contain condensed lessons and worksheets. Children pass or fail based on submission of tests embedded in modules.
Because all project activities were originally planned to be face-to-face, the project had to make adaptations with the overall goal of ensuring safety of teachers/learners, supporting continuity of learning, and protecting girls.
- Face-to-face activities such as training of teachers, youth leaders, community members were shifted to online using zoom, messenger, or small groups.
- Activities which were supposed to happen in schools are now implemented in communities
- Activities used to be led by teachers are now being led/co-led by youth and community members, parents.