Jesuits Training Teachers in Nigeria’s Embattled Northeastern Region to Boost Learning

Azare, 26 March, 2023 / 11:20 AM

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an international refugee entity of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is implementing a teacher training program in Nigeria’s violence-stricken Northeastern region with an aim of improving “access to learning environments for out-of-school children.”

In a Friday, March 23 report, JRS officials say the Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa and Borno States, Northeastern Nigeria, has caused the destruction of infrastructure including educational institutions, disrupting learning.

“The training is aimed at improving access to learning environments for out-of-school children in Borno and Adamawa States through providing pedagogical support to teachers and local government education authorities, system strengthening with local and state government,” JRS officials say.

They add that the training is to enable the trainees increase “opportunities to engage in high-quality activities focused on academic and personal development.”

The officials of the Jesuit entity make reference to Musa, a beneficiary of the program and headmaster of Azare Central School located in the region that is devastated by the ongoing conflict with Boko Haram.

“Despite his circumstances, Musa was determined to make the best of his situation and to better the lives of his students,” they say.

The JRS officials add that Musa “worked hard to provide quality education for his students, but he was limited by his lack of experience and the scarce resources available in his community.”

Musa “acquired the skills needed to become a top-notch teacher" after joining the training program, JRS officials say.

“The training program has helped me to refine my teaching methods and to gain a deeper understanding of the educational needs of my students. I also had the opportunity to network with other teachers and to learn from their experiences,” Musa is quoted as saying.

The officials say that through the skills that Musa acquired, he “found himself becoming increasingly passionate about his work”, a move they say has since then “made his students become more engaged in their studies.”

They say that he is also making a difference in his community as “he has used his newfound skills and knowledge to develop innovative teaching methods to help other teachers and his students reach their full potential.”

“His journey is a testament to the power of education and the immense impact it can have, both on individuals and on society,” the officials say.

As a result of his hard work and dedication, JRS officials say that Musa was awarded as the best headmaster for the year 2022 by the State government of Borno.

“The award was presented in recognition of his tireless efforts to provide quality education for his students and his commitment to helping his community grow and prosper,” the officials of the Jesuit entity say.

In the March 23 report, Musa is quoted as saying, “I am deeply moved by the recognition, and I feel incredibly proud to have been awarded such a prestigious honor.”

He went on to thank JRS officials for the recognition and pledged to continue helping his students and teachers to succeed.