“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
Marginalized communities are often characterized by a higher prevalence of poverty, lack of infrastructure, low access to healthcare and education, of which the biggest victims are children. Unfortunately, many public primary schools in rural communities of Enugu State lack sufficient classroom furniture, forcing students to sit on the floor or share limited seating arrangements. This situation hampers students’ ability to concentrate, participate actively, and achieve their full potential.
Understanding this need, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria through the Local Rights Programme is doing its part to improve education in marginalized communities. The project provided ten 6-seater desks each for Igga Community Primary School, Uzo-Uwani LGA, Unity Community Primary School, Ameke-Ani, Ani-nri LGA and Ihenyi Community Primary School, Isi-Uzo LGA.
In a ceremony on the school premises on Thursday, 2nd of November 2023, the headmaster of Igga Community Primary School expressed his gratitude by thanking the organizations for their effort. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation for the desk delivery. Previously, 35 students had to share 10-15 single desks or two or three desks, severely impacting their learning experiences. The scarcity created intense competition among students, hindering educational progress. We anticipate a significant enhancement in the school’s educational quality and expect increased student retention.”
Stakeholders present include Education Secretaries, community elders, Igwe cabinet’s members, Education Officers from the LGAs, community women and youths, SSDO’s LRP Project Lead, Priye West, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairpersons, teachers, and community representative of the schools amongst others.
The project aims to reduce poverty by engaging with the poor and marginalized in selected communities through its child sponsorship mechanism. This innovation will improve the learning environment and enhance pupils’ engagement and overall learning outcomes. Pupils will gain a sense of ownership and pride in their learning spaces, leading to increased motivation and productivity, and facilitating better teacher-student interactions.
