Food Security Sri Lanka Project #47695

Support education throughout COVID-19 in Sri Lanka

by Street Child

Project Report | May 5, 2021
Home Based Learning Project Report

By Akshara Vivekananthan | Project Leader

Dear Supporter,

Thank you for your generosity, kindness and support towards Street Child’s home-based learning initiative in the North and East of Sri Lanka. We are pleased to share an update on project progress.

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a third wave in COVID-19 cases with the daily rate of infection higher than previously recorded figures. As of May 1^st 2021, the current average has exceeded 1,300 new cases which has resulted in over 13,000 active cases. The health ministry has issued a revised alert level 3 COVID-19 restriction list in operation with immediate effect until further notice. Nationwide school closures have been announced for the third time in a span of one year, continuing to threaten the long-term prospects of children in marginalised communities.

This project was designed to overcome the challenges that may arise due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 in the country. The learning support package of interactive learning materials that were distributed to 874 children from remote, rural communities of North and East Sri Lanka through our local partners have continued to support student’s English education through periods of inconsistent schooling.

105 teachers have received training for inclusive and interactive learning thus far including use of digital learning resources in the classroom. During a period of 3 months when schools conducted classes on a limited capacity, the skills learnt through these training sessions have been useful upon the reopening of schools. Teachers have shown appreciation towards such trainings and have requested for future comprehensive skills training in interactive learning.

With the uncertainty of COVID-19 and lack of indication of when students will be able to return to normal schooling, our home-based learning intervention will continue to play a vital role as students navigate their education in the upcoming weeks and months. Street Child hope to continue expanding this program to reach more students and encourage a continuation of learning throughout the challenges faced amid the pandemic. Street Child thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to sharing further progress with you soon.

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Jan 5, 2021
January 2020 Project Update

By Akshara Vivekananthan | Project Leader

Volunteer demonstration of learning materials

Dear Supporters,

Thank you for your kind support towards Street Child’s home-based learning initiative in North-Eastern Sri Lanka. We are pleased to share an update on project progress.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases have risen with a weekly average of over 500 cases per day and 7,000 active cases as of early January 2021. The sudden development of a second wave of the virus in Sri Lanka beginning early October 2020 has resulted in the second sustained closure of schools during the pandemic. As of January 2021, schools remain closed, with prolonged school closure continuing to threaten the long-term prospects of children in marginalised communities who are under-resourced to learn at home.

In response to these anticipated challenges the project has continued to progress in meeting the learning needs of students. Street Child and our local partners have now supported 874 children from remote, rural communities of North-Eastern Sri Lanka with home-based learning. Provision of a learning support package of interactive learning materials and community-based support led by local volunteers has been rolled out to recreate a supported learning environment in the absence of classroom-based learning.

Focus groups conducted with parents and students have found high engagement and satisfaction rates with the home-based learning approach (95% in Mullaitivu; 100% in Mannar). In focus groups students shared that their understanding of the curriculum was bolstered through the range of supplementary resources including songs, recorded dialogue (including phonics) and stories. Parents reported improving their own understanding of curriculum content, therefore increasing their ability to support their children’s learning.

To prepare schools in remote, rural communities for resumed school-based learning, 105 teachers have so far received training for inclusive and interactive learning including use of digital learning resources in the classroom upon reopening.

With the uncertainty of COVID-19 and lack of indication of when schools will return to normality, our home-based learning intervention will continue to play a vital role as students navigate their education amid the pandemic. Street Child thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to sharing further progress with you soon.

Students using learning materials at home

Teachers participate in training session

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