Back in grade school, if there was a snow storm, I would check on radio or TV to find out if school would be closed. Of course, if weather ever caused school to close for a day or two, it was always a joyful occasion.
What grade school kid wouldn’t want a few days off!?
Unlike snow storms, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools to close for much longer than a day or two. “Our Masters stayed home for 6 months, away from teachers, peers, and classrooms”, said Leo Okonkwo about students of BOMCA & MENPS academies. “The lost time negatively affected their development.”
After schools partially reopened on August 6th, health safety protocols were mandated to continue preventing any chance of contagion. With your help, HEAL provided supplies for this first reopening phase.
Now, Nigerian schools have fully reopened as of October 12th and all 550 students have returned. Normally, the first term of the school year begins in mid-September and ends in mid-December.
Having started a month late, students must learn 3 months worth of material in only 2 months. “We are squeezing in as much material as possible in the short time frame by simplifying our lessons so students assimilate them easily”, says Religious Studies instructor, Ijezie Tobechi.
The accelerated learning pace hasn’t been easy, but the MOJ Sisters are pushing the students. “They have encouraged me to study hard and keep my faith in Christ”, says SS-1 student Ngozichukwu Chioma.
Besides making up for lost learning time, students face another challenge with respect to health safety. “With all 550 students back to school, we must compensate for lack of classroom space for social distancing by erecting portable outdoor classrooms”, says Rev. Leo.
The Masters need your help to overcome the hurdles threatening their intellectual and moral development!
Please review what we need to set up the outdoor classrooms and HELP us to achieve full compliance with all COVID-19 protocols!