VOA慢速英语2014 因埃博拉停课的塞拉利昂学生通过电台接受教育

 

Education Ebola Forces Sierra Leone Students to Learn by Radio 因埃博拉停课的塞拉利昂学生通过电台接受教育

Ebola has struck hard in Sierra Leone.  More than one million children have been unable to attend school because of the continuing crisis¹ caused by the disease. 

But classes are now broadcast on 41 radio stations and the country’s only television station.  The educational programs are airing three hours daily, five days a week.

In the country’s capital, Freetown, 17-year-old student Doris Ansumana says radio broadcasts make a big change from her usual days at school.  She says life has become boring – not interesting.  She misses the social life involved in going to school and seeing other students. 

Still, she says so far she is enjoying the radio lessons. She notes, however, that others do not have the chance to study because they must work.

Her guardian², Yabonett Sesay, also expresses concern about other young students because many are being forced into labor³ instead of study.

Ms. Sesay says some students are selling things because they do not have money. She says she watches Doris carefully to make sure she does her schoolwork. 

Doris’s guardian suggests that the government extend broadcasts to night hours. She says everyone stays home at night.

Brima Michael Turay serves as deputy⁴ director for the Ministry⁵ of Education, Science and Technology.  He says the goal is to have the broadcasts take place from 11 in the morning until five in the afternoon. 

He says the ministry worked hard to get teachers’ opinions and advice for the broadcasts.  Mr. Turay says 30 have been called to help put together the broadcasts. All are qualified⁶ to teach at different levels. Subjects include mathematics, science and English.

Mr. Turay says parents must understand that the ministry cannot continually monitor their children.   

“This has to be one of their greatest responsibilities. We can provide the service as a ministry, but if the parents who are at home do not participate, this is going to be a fruitless endeavor⁷.”

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and the Independent Radio Network are directing the broadcasts. Several international partners, including UNICEF, are also working with the ministry.

The broadcasts teach and comfort. They tell children that they are not alone in the Ebola crisis. Mr. Turay says the broadcasts also advise children on how to protect themselves and others. 

“Wash your hands. Do this, do that, so you don’t end up losing your life or losing a family member and all of that.”

The Ben Hirsh Intrim Child Center in Kenema, Sierra Leone, is caring for children directly affected⁸ by Ebola. They can go to the center after their parents have died. 

Vandi Pujeh works at the center. He says employees are making sure the children listen to the broadcasts.

The Education, Science and Technology ministry will continue to present more programs.  It has also plans to bring solar-powered radio to areas of Sierra Leone without electricity. 

Words in this Story

guardian - n. a person who looks after and is legally responsible for someone unable to manage his or her own life, often a child whose parents have died

deputy - n. an important assistant who helps the person who is the leader of a government, organization, etc.

monitor - v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check (something) for a special purpose over a period of time

fruitless - adj. unsuccessful, failed

comfort  - n. a state or situation in which you are relaxed and do not have any physically⁹ unpleasant feelings caused by pain, heat, cold, etc.

1 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

2 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

3 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

4 deputy   

n.代理人，代表，副职；adj.代理的，副的

参考例句：

• John will act as a deputy for me during my absence.我离开期间，约翰将代理我的职务。
• She is the deputy headmistress of the school.她是那所学校的代理校长。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

7 endeavor   

vt.／n.努力，尽力，尝试

参考例句：

• Thereupon,we knew,our endeavor was valuable.于是，我们知道，我们的努力是有价值的。
• We endeavor to make our customers satisfied.我们力图使顾客都满意。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。