iLEAD Fellowship

It is often said that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonades out of it. COVID-19 is obviously a part of life's lemon that brought a halt to activities across every facet of society including education.

Our Fellows (in the iLEAD Fellowship) who work in underserved communities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria have had to adapt to the times and re-strategize to keep the learning going for their students in Senior Secondary School (class) 3.

Our strategy was to take learning online using digital channels. For a lot of the students, Facebook was the best option as other channels/Apps require much internet data and an android phone which most of them do not have. Facebook was generous enough to create a free feature that enables many of the students to participate with small phones without internet data.

So the students were added to a group chat where they hold peer learnings on their core subjects including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Civic education and others with support from our fellows. With this digital opportunity, we were able to revisit other modules in the curriculum such as values, time management, pathways (post-secondary school);  and we are supporting them to apply these learnings for their personal and community development.

Considering the realities of the lockdown occasioned by the novel Coronavirus, this online learning is indeed pertinent for the students as it helps to refresh their memories on all that they have been learning and it particularly helps them fine-tune their preparation for their final examinations.

Our students are excited to be learning online; Abasifreke said "virtual learning is a dream come true"; instead of chit-chatting with friends online.

 Fola said "we have been coming together to share knowledge"; 

Matilda said it has helped her revisit her old notes.

Although the pandemic is gradually revealing that education in Nigeria is becoming a privilege rather than a right as it ought to be, we are putting in efforts to make this work for the underserved youth. 

You can join us to beat the virus by supporting us to increase the number of students who have access to this platform, provide more digital tools thereby exposing students to more opportunities to learn.

Join us today. Please visit www.leapafrica.org to learn more about our programmes.