The Association of Esan Professionals (AEP) has embarked on a teaching intervention program in Esanland, against the backdrop of the deplorable state of teaching in its homeland, as nearly all public secondary schools have just a principal and one (1) or two (2) teachers to teach the students all subjects across pure sciences, social sciences, arts, Mathematics and English, creating room for the total absence of some subjects that are never taught.
Concept
At its 2021 14th Esan Economic Empowerment Workshop (EEEW), titled Enhancing Secondary School Education in Esanland
through teaching intervention, the Association commenced its teaching intervention program with focus on providing at least three (3) teachers each for public secondary schools in Esanland to assistthem in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and other relevant subjects to enable our children compete favourably in WAEC, SSCE, NECO and JAMB as well as aid them to obtain the required minimum five (5) credits for their higher education.
The 1st phase of the intervention project began in the 2021/2022 School session with fifteen (15) selected pubic secondary schools (3 schools per L.G.A) across Esanland. The Association ensures there is monitoring and evaluation of the intervention project periodically throughout the entire session. The independent monitors engaged by the Association to monitor the program submit monthly report to the Association. The Principals of the beneficiary schools are also made to send in monthly reports on the programme.
The Association shall also be giving scholarship to brilliant but indigent students who excel in their WAEC or NECO exams.
Funding
In the 2021/2022 academic session, the Association spent well over Twelve Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦12,250,000) on the program. An average of One Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Naira (₦1,225,000) monthly on salaries alone for the teachers and independent monitors of the program.
A total of Forty-Five (45) teachers and Five (5) independent monitors were hired for the program across Esanland. So far, out of the amount spent on the programme, the Association has received only a total sum of ₦1,000,000 from spirited individuals as donation towards the project, but hopes to be able to expand the program to more schools with more teachers per school for the overall benefit of Esan sons and daughters, and Edo State at large through the ₦250 Million Education Trust Fund-raising event scheduled as follows:
Testimonial
The Principals, teachers, students and communities of the beneficiary schools are full of praises for AEP. Some of the testimonial from the Principals and the independent monitors:
“Thank you so much for all your efforts and the good work you people have done for us especially my school. God Almighty will continue to bless you”, “Sir, am very happy to inform you that WAEC has released their results and all the SS3 students that wrote the exams have gotten their results and passed very well with distinctions. Thanks and God bless you all really good” – Mrs. M.E. Ibhale, Principal, Amedokhian Senior Secondary School, Uromi, Esan North East L.G.A.
“On the part of the students, they express their gratitude to the Esan Professionals abroad for coming to wake them up again in Academics, especially in those subject areas of interest” – Mrs. S.I. Okosodo, Principal, Iruekpen Mixed Senior Secondary School, Iruekpen, Esan West L.G.A.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank you and the entire body for selecting this school among the schools for your gesture. I will equally solicit for reengagement of these same teachers and more teachers in additional subject areas like Mathematics, English Language/Literature, Agric. Science, Christian Religion Studies and Geography” – Mr. Ibhafidon, Principal, Ikekato Senior Secondary School, Irrua, Esan Central L.G.A.
“We sincerely thank you and your group for the good things you are doing for Esan people. we pray that the Almighty God should continue to bless you, protect you and give you and your family good health and long life and protection in Jesus name, amen” – Mr. G.S. Ebhodaghe, Principal, Oria Senior Secondary School, Oria, Esan South East L.G.A.
The Communities, Staff and Students of all the schools visited seem to be very happy with AEP teachers” - Dr. Christopher Ighalo, Independent Monitor.
“The Principals of the schools that benefited from the selfless gesture of the Association of Esan Professionals expressed a lot of appreciation to the Association. The beneficiaries (the teachers employed by the Association) are also grateful to the Association for removing them from the labour market”- Mr. John Ejenata, Independent Monitor
“The Principals remain very grateful to Esan Professionals for their intervention in the provision of teachers to their schools especially at this time of total lack of teachers from government.” “The teachers are very committed to their engagement. Apart from teaching, they are also involved in the invigilation of the ongoing WASSCE, The Association of Esan Professional Teachers are the only teachers the schools have on major subject areas as could be observed from the classes they teach” – Sir O.D Ikidi (KSM), Coordinator, Independent Monitors