Planning Assessment Good Shepherd Primary School

13/3/2012 Okoloke

We initiated a meeting between HELP Dr. Tom Conner, Coach Emmanuel Solako, Raye Elerson, Scott Beebe, and David; Headmaster of Good Shepherd Primary (GSP) School. The purpose of the meeting was to assess current progress of GSP School, future plans of progress, and to identify opportunities for partnership in the future based on the vision of GSP School within the Educational Domain for HELP. The meeting was held out under the tree between the Okoloke Guest House and the GSP School campus. We began the meeting explaining our purpose as stated above, with an open mind from our host. As of this meeting, the GSP School enrolls 57 students (Fulani, Hausa, Cambari and no Yoruba yet) and 2 teachers. Of the 57 students, only 22 have reportedly paid appropriate school fees. Headmaster David said that he is currently rewriting policies, procedures and suggested fees for the School. Culturally, due to the tribal diversity of the local population, as well as a general apathy and undisciplined approach to education, David suggested that it is futile to compare the desire of education in Okoloke with the desire of education within Egbe. This divide exists, he posits, due to the reality of exposing these relatively isolated people to an entirely new way of life; namely, an educated life. Simply stated, the Fulani wish to follow cows during the dry season and by doing so maintain their generational heritage. This reality is necessitating that westerners practice caution, local understanding and self-awareness when introducing outside influence. This internal desire for cultural preservation presents both an opportunity for global engagement and disciple-making via their culture, and also forces us to have a serious discussion about the future of educational delivery to this deep culture. The curriculum of the GSP School is not religiously-based, and instead focuses solely on the arts and sciences; currently offering English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Health/Education, Science and Agriculture. In the future, Headmaster David hopes to Recruit seasoned retired teachers from around Nigeria to come and teach providing both rich experience, a mission school training background and potentially low-cost resources Introduce both an Islamic and Christian teacher that will thoughtfully teach these two religions that make up 98% of Nigeria Settle on a 1:25 student/teacher ratio

Introduce new items into the curriculum, such as o Writing o Instrumental Music o Computer Technology o Home Economics for ladies o Agriculture training for boys o Extra-curricular activities: futbol, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton Purchase a school bus to limit the transportation complications for students

As the GSP School progresses, there will be a serious vacuum of training and development for staff; an opportunity for our global partners to first understand the needs for training, and then to mobilize deliverables that provide timely solutions. Follow Up: Dr. Tom Conner will be following up by email and phone with Headmaster David to discuss ongoing implementation and accountability to begin a joint pursuit and training of these goals. HELP is a non-governmental organization who partners with local entities on the ground around a variety of domains; health, education, business, agriculture, and social/civil.