This study investigated the use of radio in rural education for community development. The study was limited radio listeners, radio producers and social workers/opinion leaders. The masters list of listeners was obtained from radio stations in Abakaliki. The second sample was radio producers, whereas the third sample was social workers/opinion leaders. The tool used in this study was questionnaires, the theoretical framework is the Hovland’s Message learning theory. It was found that the majority of the listeners possessed radio sets and was getting benefit from the educational programmes of radio in rural areas. The programmes were informative and motivating. The strategies of radio for rural education and rural development were appreciable because these infused mobility, widened horizon of rural people and focused attention on the goals and problems of rural people. It could be used to enhance literacy (through distance and non-formal education).the producers/comperes were found keenly interested in their job. It was revealed that priority was given to education and rural development programmes of radio. Programmes needed detail and summary at the end. Furthermore language was not easy. Radio schools like Interactive Radio instruction (IRI) may be used for effective teaching learning process in rural areas. Time of educational programmes should be enhanced. Programmes like radio rural forum may be started as well as open broadcasting should be adopted for rural development programme.
Citation: Nweze, Samuel; Egwu, Cynthia Ngozika; Nwamba, Jane Irene; Nwafor, Ezinne Comfort; Nnamani, Abigail Nkechi ; Anyachonkeya; Chinwe Patience; Uche, Chiamaka Eunice (2022), International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, Vol.7, No.8, pp.111-128
Keywords: Development, Development Communication, Radio, educational broadcasting, rural education
