A Radio Math Instruction Program Improves Learning Outcomes for Preschool Students in Peru

• In Event: Scaling and sustaining private innovations in public education systems

Proposal

How can we improve students' educational achievement? Can radio instruction successfully support distance learning, particularly in settings such as the COVID-19 pandemic? In rural Peru, researchers measured whether remote support from educational coaches for caregivers during MateWasi — a radio program with interactive math lessons for preschool-aged children— impacted their children’s math learning outcomes. Results show that remote support increased the involvement of caregivers in their children’s educational development. In turn, children’s math learning improved by 0.12 standard deviations on an index that measured outcomes including oral counting, spatial ability, comparing of quantities, and solving word problems related to addition and subtraction.

The implementing team identified a low-cost route for the sustainable scale up of MateWasi led by local state and non-state actors. The team worked with the Regional Education Unit of San Martin to build partnerships with the local Institutes of Pedagogy, to provide continuity to the project. A local organization was identified as capable and committed to continue with the implementation and scaling it to other regions where they operate.

Authors

• Sarah Kabay, Innovations For Poverty Action

• Juan Manuel Hernandez Agramonte Caballero, Innovations for Poverty Action