You may have noticed that we have been a little quiet over the last eight weeks but rest assured we have been very busy and we wanted to update you on what we have been working on in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believe that Sabre is well positioned to support parents and children during the school closures, using our training content and methodology, the extensive network of trained teachers we have worked with, and our strong district level engagement.

At the forefront of our response to school closures, that took place on 16th March in Ghana, is the aspiration to maintain our support to the Ghana Education Service. We have been working with the District Directors of Education in the twelve districts in which we operate to develop their District COVID-19 Plans. These plans are varied but include support to children and parents, information sharing and remote learning that are not only operational during school closures but can be continued when schools reopen.

Our proposed response in support to these district plans focuses on two broadcast media that can reach even the most remote and marginalised families:
a) radio broadcast via district radio stations
b) community broadcast via public address systems.

The programming we are developing is targeted both as direct instruction for children, and parental support and knowledge sharing on the value of early years education and how young children learn best, incorporating a playful approach to learning. This broadcast approach will be supported by teacher outreach to parents and children via phone calls and a parent support hotline.

If you would like to listen to one of our pilot radio broadcasts please click here.

Our team has been working alongside some of the teachers that we have previously trained to produce the radio broadcasts and we can’t wait to begin promoting the radio broadcasts alongside the Government’s Learning TV channel next week and then commence broadcasting during the second week in June.

Beyond the COVID-19 outbreak we see an opportunity to develop this material further to implement blended learning (a combination of digital instruction as well as face to face training) that supports parents, teachers and newly qualified teachers.

We hope to be able to share updates in the coming weeks and months and in the meantime, we hope you are able to stay safe and well.