Continuation of courses by television, radio, and Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Assets and constraints in Togo

Continuation of courses by television, radio, and Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Assets and constraints in Togo

In an effort to avoid an exponential spread of the coronavirus disease on the African continent, most states have put in place various provisions, including the closure of educational centers (RepublicofTogo.com, 2020; Burns, 2020; Gamba, 2020). In Togo, as in other countries, all schools and universities, all public, private, secular and religious training centers are closed until further notice (Portail Officiel de la République Togolaise, 2020; BBC News, 2020 ; van Fleet, 2020; Le Monde, 2020).

In order to keep learners in a learning situation and to continue educational programs while avoiding crowds, alternatives to online courses, radio courses, and tele-schools have been launched by education officials. national in some countries including Togo (Aziakpor, 2020; Ahougnon, 2020; Laplace & Soumaré, 2020). But for this type of initiative to achieve its objectives, a certain number of prerequisites are necessary, in particular household access to the media used, namely radio, television and the Internet.

Afrobarometer's most recent survey in Togo reveals that many Togolese not only own a radio but regularly follow the news on the radio. On the other hand, access to television and the Internet remains out of reach for a good part of Togolese, especially for poor citizens or those living in rural areas – a reality that challenges political leaders to choose the appropriate ways and means. for any communication relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. National education decision-makers, for their part, must take this into account and take the appropriate measures to ensure the effectiveness of this laudatory solution that they have adopted.

Key results

About four out of five Togolese have a radio in their household (81%) and regularly follow the news on the radio (78%).

Two out of five households (44%) do not have a television. Half (51%) of Togolese never or rarely follow the news on TV.

A fifth of Togolese (18%) own a computer.

Four out of five Togolese (82%) have a mobile phone for personal use. A third (32%) of the population have phones that can access the Internet.

Less than two out of 10 Togolese (18%) often obtain information via the Internet.

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