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Press Release
19 June 2003
BBC World Service Trust and the African Educational Trust (AET) have jointly given nearly 11,000 Somalis the opportunity to learn basic literacy, numeracy and life skills through a weekly radio programme broadcast on BBC World Service. The Somalia Distance Educational Literacy Programme (SOMDEL) produced programmes that were close to the experience of Somalis, exploring issues on health, human rights and sustaining the environment in rural areas.
A newly published report reveals that of the 10,908 people who signed up for SOMDEL, 70% were women and 9,000 passed their final exam. The programme, known locally in Somali as Macallinka Raddiya (Radio Teacher), reached many areas in Somalia where conflict and lack of resources has prevented any other form of educational delivery. In special cases radios were provided to those who needed them.
John Tuckey, Projects Manager for BBC World Service Trust said, "This was the first time that teaching by radio was attempted in Somalia. The success of SOMDEL cannot be underestimated, especially given that, as a result of civil war, a whole generation of people have been excluded from education. Developing literacy, numeracy and life skills will improve their opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in a country where conflict is endemic. It also demonstrates that radio is a powerful educational tool."
Community initiative and involvement was an important part of SOMDEL. Teachers, nominated by the community, would receive training and printed support materials. How and where classes were organised was decided by the community. So long as teacher and class continued to work together, it was possible for SOMDEL to be sustainable even amongst populations displaced by violence and in the most difficult conditions in rural Somalia.
Talks are now underway between BBC World Service Trust and AET to take SOMDEL to the next stage.
SOMDEL was a yearlong programme, which ended in March 2003, and there were 351 classes run.
For further information please contact:
Nusrat Ul-Ghani, Head, Fundraising and Communications, BBC World Service Trust
+44 (0)207 557 2492
mobile: 07748 846405
nusrat.ul-ghani@bbc.co.uk
Christine George, Assistant Publicist, BBC World Service
+44(0)207557 1142
christine.george@bbc.co.uk
BBC World Service Trust is the international development charitable arm of the BBC. It aims to reduce poverty through the innovative use of the media in developing countries and countries in transition. It runs projects world-wide focusing on health, education, social development and training in collaboration with local and national broadcasters and the BBC World Service. Further information can be found at bbcworldservice.com/trust
The Africa Educational Trust has been running educational projects in Somalia since 1994 - teaching literacy, numeracy and vocational skills, as well as helping local communities organise and run their own educational schemes. Further information can be found at africaed.org
BBC World Service broadcasts programmes around the world in 43 languages and is available on radio and online at bbcworldservice.com It has a global audience of 150m listeners.
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