Universal Learning Solution (ULS) with support from Global Partnership for Education and Katsina State Universal Basic Education Commission has organised a distance learning programme to cover 33,000 children in the state.
The Northern Programme Officer of ULS, Umar Farouk Bello, said during the training of the Home Support Leaders (HSLs) in Katsina that at least 33,000 children will benefit from the programme which is under Nigeria Educate Everywhere at a Distance (NEED) Programme.
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The essence of the programme, he said, was to reach out to the children owing to the stay-at-home as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, so that they will be learning at home.
He said one person was selected from each five local government areas of the three senatorial districts, making 15 persons that will be trained as HSLs, who will in turn train 10 persons from their respective LGAs.
“Each of our HSLs will cascade the training down to 10 persons in their LGAs who will serve as our Home Support Teachers (HSTs). These HSTs will be the ones to guide the children and their parents on the jolly phonics programmes,” he said.
He further explained that the HSLs and HSTs that together make 165 will each identify 20 families in their LGAs and each family will have a maximum cluster of 10 children, a number that is manageable under the COVID-19 guideline.
He added that the programme will be aired on Katsina State Television and Katsina State Radio, as well as other social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and SMS for those who could afford a smartphone among the parents.
