September 29, 2023
With the confirmation of the index case of COVID – 19 in Nigeria and Lagos State, schools were closed for about four (4) months. During this time, the Lagos State 2019/2020 academic calendar was disrupted, thereby reducing students’ learning time and hampering effective teaching and learning in schools. As the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Lagos State worked to bridge learning gaps of students below the tertiary level, it developed various interventions to support both public and private schools. One of such critical interventions is the Lagos Learns Together (LLT) initiative.
Formally launched in 2021, the LLT initiative started as an educational community learning intervention to assist students, teachers and parents to stay on top of learning during and post COVID-19. It was essential that the education of each and every child in Lagos State was able to continue despite the circumstances. The initiative embodied a blended approach to education, leveraging both physical and digital learning platforms so that technology was no longer a barrier to accessing education in the state.
We are not just concerned as a government about public school students, parents, teachers and stakeholders but we are concerned about the entire state and this includes those in private schools and our external stakeholders. We want to make sure that you always have access to different types of learning resources…. We are very excited about Lagos Learns Together because of the potential that it holds not just for now but also for our future. What will the future hold if we can come together as a community and ensure learning for all…
~ Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Director-General, OEQA
SEED Care & Support Foundation was actively engaged during the government’s research to provide perspectives on the low-fee private schools serving children from low-income communities. This served as a critical feedback in designing an appropriate solution to meet the needs of all children in Lagos State.
LLT has since evolved into an intervention aimed to ensure continuous learning during emergencies and long holidays, serving as a valuable supplement to the existing curriculum all the way from Primary School to Senior Secondary School.
Partnership for Impact In Emergencies & Long Holidays
COVID-19 Intervention: Nomination of 26 SEED Partner Schools
During COVID-19, OEQA provided the LLT Learning Packs to over 8,000 students in public and private schools who have no access to technology. SEED nominated a total of 26 low-fee private schools (20 primary, 6 secondary) from the six (6) Education Districts of Lagos State.
The Learning Packs also included important information (phone number(s) and/or code(s) to call) about the safety of a child as COVID-19 exacerbated issues such as sexual abuse, kidnapping, fire incidence. Also included was the ‘COVID-19 Education Handbook for Children’ by the United Nations in collaboration with the European Union and the Lagos State Government.
SEED was also invited to the launch program with students from some of our Partner Schools to receive the LLT Learning Packs.
Long Holiday Intervention: 917 Learning Packs for Children through 11 SEED Partner Schools
School breaks, especially the long summer vacation, can often result in learning loss and regression. In 2023, SEED Care and Support Foundation partnered with OEQA as distribution partner to ensure the LLT learning Packs reached children from low-income communities attending low-fee private schools during the long summer holiday to reinforce learning. Through the partnership, primary and secondary school students in SEED Partner Schools across five (5) out of the six (6) Education Districts in Lagos State received these educational materials to enhance learning opportunities.
SEED Care & Support Foundation served as the initial validation and follow-up partner for the selected low-fee private school beneficiaries. In addition, agreed distribution protocols were followed which included filling of attendance, validation with identification, submission of a copy of school attendance register and taking of photographs during collection. This distribution happened over 2 days: Friday, 21st July, 2023 (437 learning packs, 3 schools) and Monday, 24th July 2023 (480 learning packs, 8 schools).
The distributed books were met with excitement and gratitude from the schools, teachers, parents and the students. Designed to complement home-based learning and long holiday lessons, the books became a vital resource for students to continue their educational journey.
Home-Based Learning
Great Prestige Schools, led by Mrs. Funmilayo Adesola, located in Alakuko area of Lagos State commenced its primary school operation in 2003 and expanded to Secondary school in 2012. Great Prestige Schools, believes in a strong partnership between parents and educators to nurture and develop exceptional individuals.
Omonoyan Iseoluwa, a Lower Primary student of Great Prestige Schools, who received the LLT Learning Pack can be seen using the book at home during the long holiday.
The learning pack was a life-changing resource for Iseoluwa. He found the clear explanations, engaging exercises, and real-life examples incredibly helpful. It not only improved his academic performance but also boosted his confidence and love for learning. His parents were overjoyed as the learning pack was a great resource for them to support him during the holidays. As a school, we noticed his improvement when he returned back to school. His teachers praised his improved and better understanding of some key concepts.
~ Mrs. Funmilayo Adesola, School Owner, Great Prestige Schools
Long Holiday Lessons
SADEC Schools, led by Mrs. Ajeonikumo Ebun, has been a pillar of academic excellence and character development for over two decades. Operating in two Lagos locations, the school began in 1996 with its primary section and expanded to include a secondary school in 2012.
Driven by a vision to cultivate future leaders with strong academic and moral values, SADEC Schools was one of the SEED Partner Schools selected to receive the LLT Learning Packs for their students from Lower Primary to Senior Secondary.
On behalf of the school management and pupils, we appreciate Lagos State for this great initiative. The book was a great help to us and the children were elated to use the book. One of our feedback to the government is to have the books separated according to classes instead of combining them.
~ Ibrahim Olajumoke, Teacher, Basic 5, SADEC Schools
The book helped me and my learners a lot. It was like a guideline on what the students have been taught and what they should expect. For those entering the terminal class [JSS3], the learning pack helped them to revise topics from previous classes because the pack was combined for Junior Secondary School. Kudos to the organizers.
~ Favour Itodu, Mathematics Teacher, Junior Secondary School, SADEC Schools
The Bigger Picture
The Lagos Learns Together Initiative partnership is more than just a distribution of books. By addressing gaps in learning during emergencies and long holidays, the initiative is paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive educational system in Lagos State.
SEED’s involvement reflects the importance of community-driven efforts in education. Together with OEQA, we are not only fostering continuity in learning but also shaping brighter futures for students in low-income communities across Lagos State.