The document discusses the role of Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) in utilizing radio for educational and community development across various regions, including India, Uganda, and South Africa. It highlights the benefits of community radio in reducing the digital divide, empowering community members, and facilitating access to essential information, especially in remote areas. Key lessons emphasize the importance of suitable broadcast times, innovative formats, and efficient maintenance of radio equipment to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.

1. Commonwealth Educational
Media Centre for Asia
Radio for Learning
Sanjaya Mishra

2. Professor Asha S. Kanwar
President & CEO
Commonwealth of Learning

3. Structure
 COL and Radio
 Indian Situation
 Lessons Learnt
 CEMCA and Community Radio

4. COL AND RADIO

5. COL and Radio
 To reduce digital divide
 Local participatory approach to knowledge
and skill development
 Empower communities through technology
training and programme development skills

6. COLME
 FM Radio with low power transmitter
 Use of solar power to run station
 Use of HAM radio
 Radio in a Box

7. Radio: for whom, for what and how?
 UGANDA
– Used solar powered FM station reaching 1 million
Luo speakers; Daily programmes concerning
health, gender, agriculture; Health-based
information that has led to the HIV/AIDS
prevention in the community.
 PAPUA NEW GUINEA
– FM radio used by Govt. to reach primary and
secondary students in remote locality

8. Radio: for whom, for what and how?
 SOUTH AFRICA
– Secondary school FM radio station that reaches
the town of Manguzi in Kwazulu Natal (estimated
population of 200,000)
 SRI LANKA
– Portable FM radio station utilised in primary and
secondary schools in Southern Sri Lanka.
– Two hundred students trained in the value of
radio and community development by SLBC.

9. INDIAN SITUATION

10. Ham Radio
 facilitated agricultural
education and community
development through
provision of free exchange
of communications
between five farming
communities and scientists
from two agricultural
research stations in Tamil
Nadu, India.

11. Community Radio Movement
 1995 Supreme Court: airwaves constitute
public property and must be utilized for
advancing public good
 2003 MIB Guidelines
 2006 MIB Guidelines (Revised)
 141 CR station (as of 15/11/2012); 187 GOPA
signed
 IGNOU Gyan Vani FM stations

12. LESSONS LEARNT

13. What Research Shows
 Majority of studies report that achievement
of the target group increased as a result of
radio programme
 Learners are interested in radio programmes,
if the timing is suitable
 Radio programmes in story and drama
formats are received well, though talks and
quiz-based programmes are also useful
 Students also appreciate interactivity in radio
through phone-in Source: Mishra, 2005

14. Lessons Learnt: Pedagogy
 Radio to be an integral part of the curriculum
 Broadcast time suitable for the target group
 Use innovative formats; but also use story
and drama
 Use radio for more factual information
 Use radio vision, for subjects that require
illustrations

15. Lessons Learnt: Technology
 Radio station systems require easy plug in and out leads
so that soldering of wires is avoided
 Dual microphone systems for discussion groups are
important for community radio systems
 Solar systems are effective only if the proper
maintenance scheme is completed
 Issues to do with lightening strikes are a constant threat
to station transmitters and proper training and
maintenance must be in effect.
 A maintenance scheme should be drawn up and ensured
that the technician carries it out and reports to the
radio station manager

16. Lessons Learnt: Policy and Practice
 Enabling policy environment important
 Understanding sustainability issues as well as
not-for-profit
 Community engagement both in management
and programming
 Ethical practice and Self-regulatory
mechanism
 Quality improvement needed

17. CEMCA AND COMMUNITY
RADIO

18. CEMCA and Radio
 Organized over 30 CR
Awareness workshops on
behalf of MIB since 2007
 Community women
broadcasters training (25
CRS)
 Community based
learning programme on
health (two-CRS)
 Content development –
Science for Women –
supported by DST(30
CRS)

19. Online System of CR Application

20. Facilitation of CR Radio

21. Ek Dunia, Anek Awaaz

22. Web Radio

23. CEMCA’s Strategy (2012-15)
 Develop an ODL programme
for CR Technicians as Open
Educational Resource
 Develop Quality Assurance
framework/toolkit for CRS
 Capacity building for
grassroots women
broadcasters
 Building sustainable CR
models
 Content exchange through
web platforms
 Promote Web Radio for
academic institutions

24. Thank You