SOS Schools in Nigeria

SOS Nursery School, Gwagwalada, Abuja

• The SOS Nursery School population was 50, out of which 20 were from the SOS Children's Village Abuja in the year 2008.
• Staff population was 5.

Activities in the year

• The nursery school pupils presented songs and rhymes on Valentine’s Day. At the end of session activities, eight pupils won prizes in letter and number works, good behaviour, punctuality and neatness on speech and prize-giving day.
• The schools organised end of year party with lots of fun for pupils. The nursery school pupils presented 3 songs that thrilled the audience.

Workshops

• The nursery school teachers had workshops/training on the origin of SOS Children and its establishment in Nigeria; Child’s Right Acts; Self Discipline and Interaction amongst co-workers.
• An in-house workshop on the SOS Village manual on Ten Standard to enable teachers fill their self evaluation questionnaire was organised.
• Another workshop on nursery school teaching methodology and phonics to widen the educators knowledge and also equip them better in teaching took place during the year.

Visits

• The nursery school children visited NIPOST Gwagwalada and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as part of School development and knowledge widening activities.
• The two schools had the inauguration meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) on 24th May.
• Two nursery schook Elephant pupils graduated last academic year and they are now in primary one.
• The awareness campaign of the Village and school yielded positive dividend with increase in the nursery school population this academic year.
• the nursery school received the following investment items (one computer, 7 chairs and tables and DVD CD player) earlier requested from the National Office.

SOS Primary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja

• The school had 15 educational staff and 2 maintenance staff
• The school population as at  the end of the year 2008 was sixty (60) consisting of fifteen (15) SOS Children and forty five (45) external pupils spread across the classes in the following order: Primary 1 -  14, Primary 2 -  18, Primary 3 -  10, Primary 4 – 11, Primary 5 – 4, Primary 6 - 3, Total = 60
• The process of registering the school with the Department of Policy Implementation (DPI) of the FCDA was concluded in November 2008 when we obtained a certificate of provisional approval. Nonetheless, for the school to qualify for external examinations it must certify accreditation requirements of (9 years) Basic Education in Nigeria.
• The CPN was in the school between 10th and 12th January 2008 to give orientation to the newly employed teachers and nursery school teachers. The Headmaster and the nursery school Head supported him in the training. The Headmaster visited SOS Primary School Isolo and Owu-Ijebu between 21st and 25th February 2008 for his own orientation. He also attended a workshop on “Effective School Management” organised by Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) from 14th to 16th May 2008.
• On 28th May 2008, the SPED Unit of the school organised a seminar for primary school teachers and SOS Nursery School teachers on “The Challenges in Meeting the Needs of Special Children in the School System”
• A three – day workshop on “Phonetics and Teaching Methodology” was organised by the school between 12th and 14th August 2008 with the former Headmistress of SOS Primary School, Isolo, Mrs. Essell, as the facilitator.
• The Headmaster participated in the meeting organised by the Regional Office for Directors of Schools held in Abomey, Calavi from 8th to 12th September 2008
• The Maiden meeting of the school Parents/Teachers’ Association (PTA) was held on Saturday 24th May 2008.
• Virtually all parents and teachers were in attendance and issues bordering on the welfare and progress of the school and the pupils were discussed and decisions taken on them. Other meetings had been held since then.
• The school conducted and took part in several events and celebrations in the year including: Rhymes & Music Rendition 6/2/08, Valentine Day     14/2/08, Sports & P.E Day 5/3/08, Cultural Day 26/5/08, Children’s Day 27/5/08, SOS Day 23/6/08.
• Excursions were made to: NIPOST, Gwagwalada 18/6/08, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja 25/6/08, F.C.T Fire Service,     Gwagwalada 3/7/08, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja 10/7/08, Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Art &     Culture, Abuja    2/12/08.
• The school faces challenges in the areas of building, water and electricity supply. The school is accommodated in one building containing six classrooms (Primary 1 – 6), one SPED room, one staff room and a Headmaster’s office.
• The National Policy on Education provides for nine years Basic Education hence the need for three additional classrooms (Basics 7, 8 and 9) five other rooms/laboratories are also required for the following; Computer, Fine Art, Home Economics, Music and a Library.

In summary, the school needs a block of at least nine (9) rooms. The village as a whole is suffering from serious water scarcity. We are not connected to the public water system which is a more reliable source of water as the internal bore hole is not functional.

Electricity supply is particularly epileptic in Gwagwalada while the price of diesel rose during the year thereby causing a serious strain on our budget.

SOS Nursery School Isolo

• The school population as at 18th December, 2008 was 91. These included twenty one pupils were from the SOS Children's Village while 69 are non-SOS
• The staff strength is eight.
• Interaction sessions were held in July and August to assess intending pupils psychological and physiological readiness for school. At the end of the sessions, 27 pupils were admitted into Chicks Group. 8 pupils were admitted into Elephants and Cats groups.
• The school resumed on 22nd September, 2008 for the 2008/2009 Academic session.
• A programme was organised by New Era Show to mark the Independence Day. The theme was “The African Child Show 2008”, in which SOS pupils in the nursery school presented some songs to commemorate the day.
• World AIDS Day was celebrated on 1st December, 2008 in conjunction with FSP and other projects in SOS. A rally was organised to sensitise people within Isolo community.
• Send forth party was organised by the Parent-Teacher Association for the out-going Project Heads of the SOS Nursery School and SOS Primary School. It was a huge success; in attendance were Acting National Director of SOS Nigeria. Project Heads, National Office staff, Parent-Teacher Association Executive, parents, pupils and other well wishers.
• The school organised an outing to “The Fun Place” at Ikeja. The children had fun riding horse, train, racing cars; met their favourite carton characters like Pocahunters, Barney, Tom & Jerry. The high point of the party was the visit to Santa’s Grotto where each child received Christmas gift.
• The school closed on the 18th December, 2008 for end of 1st term.

 

SOS Primary School Isolo

The SOS Primary School opened in 1980. There are just under 200 pupils with room for 210 in six classes. The school also has resource room for children with special needs. There are extension classes in the 1st and 2nd terms for those students who need a bit of extra tutoring. When children are old enough they go to local secondary schools.  The school runs after school activities such as the dance class on a Friday afternoon. In 2006 they started a cricket club to teach boys and girls cricket. The school also runs wporkshops for parents of children at the school to help them with their parenting skills.

• The academic year 2008/2009 session began on 22nd September, 2008. The first term ran from 22nd September, to 19th December, 2008
• The school total population stood at 203.  This figure was made up of 59 children from the SOS Children's Village Isolo and 144 pupils from the community
• The staff strength was 16 teaching staff and 3 non-teaching staff
• The Independence Day celebration was marked with the New Era Show on 1st October, 2008. The programme was tagged “African Child Show 2008”. The pupils presented songs and drama at the programme
• The World Food Day is celebrated worldwide every 16th October. The school was not left out as the pupils, marked the day in style. The pupils were educated on the different types of food, their importance and what to be eaten at different ages. The Vocational Training Centre Food Nutritionist delivered a speech on “The Need for Balanced Diet in the Growth and Development of a Child”
• The children were invited to participate in Art Competition organised by Toyota Nigeria in memory of Late Mrs. Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo. This took place on 30th October, 2008. 3 of our pupils that represented the school came second, third and ninth positions respectively. They were honoured with plaques as prizes at the Gala Night held at Ikeja Golf Club on Saturday 8th November, 2008
• On 19th November, “The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse” was marked with various activities in the school including a playlet presented by the SOS Primary School pupils. This was done in collaboration with Talent Century Chaser Sports International, a subsidiary of Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF). The programme was educative and fun filled
• Saturday 29th November, the pupils of SOS Primary School with other children from 4 orphanage homes participated in a programme “Joint Heirs Earthen Treasures”, SOS Primary School children came best overall
• A send forth party was organised by the school and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for the two out-going Project Heads of the primary and the nursery school on 13th December
• This year Christmas/ end of year party was held at Fun Place, Adebola House, Opebi, Ikeja on Thursday 18th December. The children had the best of fun with different rides and games
• The school closed for 1st term holiday on Friday 19th December

 

SOS Nursery School Owu-Ijebu 

(This is the latest update available which is from 2008)

• The SOS Nursery School runs the Ogun State school calendar. The dates of resumption and vacation for each term of this year of report is as stated

        1st term

        Term – Monday 17th September to Friday 14th December, 2007

        Holidays – Monday 17th December to Friday 4th January, 2008

 

        2nd term

        Term – 7th January to 4th April, 2008

        Holidays 7th April to 25th April, 2008.

 

        3rd Term

        Term – Monday 28th April to Friday 25th July, 2008

        Holidays – Monday 18th August to Friday 19th September, 2008.

 

• For the academic year 2007/2008, thirteen children from the SOS Children's Village Owu-Ijebu, approximately 145km from the capital Lagos, and sixty-one non-SOS children were admitted which summed up to seventy-four pupils on the register. The breakdown is as follows: SOS children: boys 8, girls 5 = 13 pupils; Non-SOS children: boys 36, girls 25 = 61 pupils.  In total 74 pupils.
• 7 educators and 3 non-academic staff took the children through 2007/2008 academic year
• As usual, the performance of the children academically in the year was commendable
• Both the educators and the school head constantly reviewed the scheme of work to suit the children’s educational needs
• This among other reasons explained the enhanced interest of parents in SOS Nursery School, Owu-Ijebu
• 2 Elephant children transited to the primary school. The Transition in the year was smooth and glorious as all the children moved to the primary school except one SOS child who joined very late in the session
• A great level of achievement was made in the special education unit as most of the children in this unit improved greatly in their various challenges ranging from poor finger co-ordination, speech delay, hyperactivity, low memory recall, to mention few
• Furthermore, an Elephant group child (nursery class 2 group) was mainstreamed and did perfectly well
• The talent competition is a biennial activity which was held on Thursday 26th June
• The categories in which the nursery school competed were in Spelling Bees, Recitation and Arts & Crafts. The following were the results: Recitation: 1st position,  Arts & Crafts: 1st and 2nd positions
• The school went on an excursion to the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday 28th May. It was indeed a big treat for both the educators and the children as they were able to learn about some animals like lions, gorillas, deers, peacocks, monkeys, snakes and tigers
• The nursery school had its annual graduation ceremony for 19 pupils moving into the SOS Primary School on Tuesday 22nd July. Awards were given to all outstanding children during the ceremony in the year
• The nursery school annual children’s welfare orientation for parents took place on Thursday 13th November. There were also re-orientation on the mode of operations in the nursery school
• During the year, the project head attended the following workshops: fundraising strategies on Tuesday 10th June, and International strategic planning workshop 17-20th November at Ijebu-Ode
• Educators had in-house training on performance
• Regular visits were made to the Ministry of Education to keep abreast with necessary information on education matters
• Meetings were held with Principal Educational Administrators at the Local Government Level to the State Level at Ogbere and Abeokuta respectively on issues relating to educational policies to enhance performance of staff and children
• Going through the agenda for the year under review it could be concluded that 2007/2008 academic year was indeed a great success
  

 

SOS Primary School Owu-Ijebu

 

The SOS Primary School opened in 1996. There are 165 pupils.

About 210 students are taught in six classes.