Taking exams, including standardized tests, has never been my strong suit. But, I always realized how important exams were for advancing to the next level. I remember taking the GRE years ago as a part of my preparation to apply to graduate school. After many long nights of study, I scored well on the exam which greatly improved my chances of acceptance to graduate school.
At HEAL sponsored “BOMCA” school in Akpim village, our Junior Secondary School (JSS) students (USA: grades 7-9) study hard each day in their dream to become the Servant Leaders (Mt. 20:28) of the future. Advancing to Senior Secondary School (SSS) entails passing the Basic Education Certificate Exam (BECE) as issued by the Imo State Ministry of Education.
Before this new year of 2018, our JSS students had to prepare and take this exam at other certified exam centers. This year, however, we are happy to announce that BOMCA earned certification as an external examination center for the BECE. This happened partly through HEAL beginning construction of an exam hall in Akpim, where JSS students from anywhere can now come for this test.
As a certified testing center, the Self-Emptying (Phil 2:6-11) spirituality of HEAL in forming Servant Leaders through education is now more visible. “The certification of BOMCA puts HEAL’s role in the education and formation of youth in the spotlight in Nigeria”, says Rev. Leo Okonkwo. Also, our own JSS students will begin preparing to take this exam at their own school by their own teachers.
The BECE will be administered by the Ministry of Education at BOMCA. Rev. Leo says, “Work and prayer will be married as JSS students prepare for the exam.” This means late nights of study with their teachers on staff at BOMCA. Of course, our teachers are lay people with families, who HEAL must pay to retain!
Now that our educational mission is “center stage” in Nigeria, we need YOUR support as we continue to provide poor village children the very best education for their futures. Please join our family for $15, $25, or $40 per month!