Role of Community Radio to Promote Non-formal Education: A Study on Radio Padma
-Md. Satil Siraj*
-Md. Mashihur Rahman**
Abstract
This study intends to assess the role of community radio to promote non-formal education (NFE) in the context of Bangladesh. NFE has been introduced in Bangladesh to meet the learning needs of educationally disadvantaged persons for developing their life skills, work skills, general culture, and facilitates lifelong learning and enhancement of earning capabilities for poverty reduction. Community radio, although a very new alternative medium in Bangladesh, can also contribute to promote NFE in Bangladesh that has been evident in this study on Radio Padma, the first community radio station in Bangladesh. A ten-episode program titled “Bachte Hole Shikhte Hobe” has been broadcast on Radio Padma in a view to promoting non-formal education (NFE) and to aware and sensitize the community and marginalized people as well as NFE learners on several contemporary issues. Different methods and techniques e.g. interview, FGD and observation have been applied to assess the role of the program in this regard. Most of the respondents termed community radio as a useful medium for NFE and for its promotion. This study reveals that community radio can also be an effective learning tool of NFE. The article ends with some recommendations which would contribute to formulation of policies for the effective utilization of community radio in Bangladesh.
Keywords
Community Radio, Non-formal Education, Bangladesh
Full Text
* Md. Satil Siraj: Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Rajshahi University
** Md. Mashihur Rahman: Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Rajshahi University