The SMS Story project was designed and implemented by the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Education Program. The trial involved sending daily mobile phone text messages to teachers in rural elementary schools (Grades 1 and 2) using a free, open source software program called Frontline SMS. Text messages contained lesson plans and short stories that teachers wrote on the blackboard and used in other classroom learning activities.
Daily mobile phone text messages to elementary school teachers in PNG boosted students’ reading ability. The success of SMS Story signifies the value of using mobile telephones to support rural-based workers throughout PNG, and in particular teachers in remote schools.