Nigerian NGO Grants Scholarships to Students in Makoko Slum

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Do you think that education is mandatory for every child in the modern society? Can education truly help a child to face the challenges of the future and achieve success?

The answer is a definite yes. Education is simply the process of acquiring knowledge that helps a person to mentally develop in order to adapt to the changing dynamics of the modern world. Your educational qualification will help you in securing a good job, advance your career and achieve success in life. However several under-developed nations lack proper infrastructure for providing its civilians with the opportunity to get basic formal education.

Nigeria is among those countries where formal education for the youth has become a serious concern. Although the most of the state governors are trying hard to cope with the issue, but due to lack of qualified teachers and shortage of adequate schools the education system has taken a toll in the last few years.

However, there is still hope as several NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) are working towards developing the Nigerian education system. Recently, CEE-HOPE, a Nigeria based NGO, has granted scholarship to 10 children in Makoko, a slum situated in Lagos. This grant will help the children to get free primary education. Makoko has one of the highest rates of children who are not formally educated.

According to a UNESCO report published in June 2013, Nigeria has the maximum unschooled children in the world and is estimated to be around 10 million. This situation will surely have some serious social implications in the future which will adversely affect the economy of the country.

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The scholarship offered by CEE-HOPE (Centre for Children's Health Education, Orientation and Protection) has brought many students back to school after spending a long time at home. The recipients of the scholarship, which includes children from ages four to eight, were excited to go to school for the first time. The children were admitted to the Whanyinna Primary School which is built on stilts and is located on the lagoon at Makoko. The NGO also provided the students with schools bags, shoes and school uniform as well.

Whanyinna Nursery and Primary School is among the most prominent schools in the region. The institute was donated and constructed in 2009 by the Yatch Club, a group of foreign visitors troubled by the illiteracy rate in Makoko. The school has a total of 215 students and one of the very few English medium schools.

The generous offer from CEE-HOPE Nigeria has not only encouraged the teachers and students, but has also pleased and elated the parents as most of them are unable to pay the N30 daily school fees.

CEE-HOPE (Centre for Children's Health Education, Orientation and Protection) is a Nigerian NGO that works for the betterment of children’s health, rights, welfare and overall development. They are striving to help the children who reside especially in the rural areas and the urban slums. Mrs. Betty Abah, the Executive Director of the organisation was motivated to reinstate hope to the child of the region with their Harbingers of Hope Scholarship which is aimed for the needy and impoverished children.

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The Harbinger of Hope Scholarship aimed to support 30 children in the pilot programme and the initial batch included 5 poor students from Ikotun. The 2^nd batch of scholarships under the Harbingers of Hope scholarship programme was given to the students in Makoko. The next batches will be granted to schools in the Otto and Badia communities.

 The scholarship includes expenses related to school uniform, reading and writing materials, school fees and other charges. The NGO has made this their basic agenda for their welfare and scholarship programmes for needy children. Even though the nation has plenty of resources, it has not been able to nurture the potentials of its young population. Mrs. Abah also aims to diminish the numbers of unschooled children with such gestures.

CEE-HOPE wishes to eliminate the problems related to illiteracy and develop these children for a better future. It is only through proper education that the children will be open to learning new skills and develop the willpower to face the challenges of the ever changing world. The NGO plans to grant scholarships to even more students in the region and grow the number of beneficiaries gradually.

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Open Distance Learning to Strengthen Nigeria’s Educational Standards

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Education in Africa is no more a debatable topic like what it had been for years. With the rapid growth in technology moreover, countries like Nigeria have now managed to bring over 4.8 million internet users. This is indeed an amazing achievement and a matter of pride for the African continent where Nigeria has emerged to be the only nation with the highest population online.

Furthermore, the importance of distance learning has been recognised by the Nigerian National Policy in providing lifelong education, which would act as the base for the education policy of the country. It also stated that an individual after completing junior secondary education will be allowed to either continue full-time courses by blending work and studies, or embark on a full-time employment without considering the option to pursue higher studies later.

Objectives of the Nigeria National Policy

The Nigeria National Policy clearly stated their objectives of offering open and distance learning:

• Giving individuals the opportunity to access quality education and ensuring justice in educational opportunities for those who had been denied earlier
• Helping employers meet their needs through special certificate courses for their employees at work
• Inspire globalisation among students dealing with tertiary education curriculum
• Restructure the internal and external effect of brain drain in tertiary institutions by taking help of teachers or experts regardless of their workplaces

The policy also set guidelines as what should be the nature of Open Distance Learning. Here are some of them:

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• There must be interactive texts available for both teaching and learning for all academic open distance learning courses. With the help of DVDs, USBs and CD-ROMs, interactive learning will be strengthened to a good extent
• Students will not be required to attend classes or sit face to face with their instructors. However, in case of examinations or practicum, students will have to be present.
• As far as the system of study centres is concerned, it should not only ensure academic support but social support must also be given
• The partnership creators especially in university centres will be offering reasonable means of providing study centres.
• There will be continuous assessment as well as summative assessment that would include examinations and portfolios enabling validation of achievement.

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The National Open University of Nigeria has now matriculated more than 1,400 students who had earlier applied for different university open courses. Even the director and the Vice Chancellor, Magaret Boro, emphasised on the fact as why it’s very important for students to enrol with NOUN in comparison to the traditional universities. “Young people were not coming here before because they thought it is a school for the elderly. But today, they are coming even for their first degrees. Capacity in conventional universities is inadequate and so they come here,” said Magaret. (Source:bit.ly/1gDW3r6)

So, students in Africa who have been deprived from pursuing higher studies under accredited universities would now be able to make their dreams come true with the benefits of open distance learning courses. Although Nigeria has already achieved loads of success in these years, plenty of innovations are on the way to strengthen its educational standards.

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UK Universities Popular In Nigeria For Online Studies

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Online distance learning programmes are extremely popular in developing countries like Nigeria as they are affordable and can be studied from home. This makes the mode of education more accessible to many students who are financially weak or can’t travel due to obligations related to family or health. Many people around the globe have many misconceptions about online distance learning programmes. However, many of them are untrue.

Misconception #1

Online distance learning programmes is only meant for technologically advanced students

This is completely untrue. One can apply for online distance learning programmes even if they have just the basic knowledge about computers. You do not have to be a techno freak or gadget wiz to enrol in online study programmes.

Misconception #2

Online learners have to study alone

This fact is not true. Online learners are given all sorts of help required. They can interact on a one-on-one basis with teachers and other students to clarify doubts. They can join forums and groups online, where they can discuss course modules and participate in activities that will make learning fun.

Misconception #3

Study programmes taught online are easier than the ones taught in traditional colleges

First of all, one thing must be clear to all learners who want to enrol in online study programmes, the syllabus taught in traditional colleges and the ones taught in online colleges, are the same. Just the mode of teaching is different. Therefore, just because the mode of teaching is different, the courses are taught in an easier way. However, the difficulty level of the study material is the same.

Misconception #4

Online learners have to spend the entire day in front of the computer

Again, this is not true. If online learners make a proper schedule for studies, they can study only at a time of their choice. They need not sit in front of the computer all day; they can study whenever they can make time.

Many colleges and universities around the world offer online courses for Nigerian students who are keen on studying but can’t mostly due to financial reasons. Online study programmes are popular with Nigerian students and UK universities online programmes in Nigeria are very well accepted among students in the country. In fact, most students prefer enrolling for online study programmes from the UK as they are recognised and accepted the world over. 

Why Online Distance Education Appeals to the Modern-age Learners?

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Technological advancements and academic institutions have come together offering convenient learning environment to career-oriented individuals. Online education has completely changed the way education is perceived today. Now, career enthusiasts can strike a balance between their studies and work or other commitments. Online learning opens the window of opportunity for learners from every sector to hone their required skills, aptitude and creativity independently.

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Online learning is for one and all, whether it is working professional, homemaker, disabled learner or anybody else who discontinued their studies due to one or other reasons. Online education accounts to innumerable facilities and benefits to make education more appealing to the community of working professionals and students.

Opportunities to Learn While Earning For Nigerian Students

There are some UK universities in Nigeria providing quality education to the students and working professionals. The idea of “earn while you learn” or “learn while you earn” along with improved flexibility and superior convenience appeal to the students and working executives. So, Nigerian students have a wonderful opportunity to obtain a valuable degree without compromising with their work schedules.

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However, benefits of online education are not limited merely to flexible and convenient terms. There are lot more to online distance learning approach, take a quick look.

Flexible time table - Online distance learning approach offers flexible time table allowing learners to study at own pace and convenience.

Learning on the go – Learners are allowed to access online classes anytime and anywhere on the personal computer or other gadgets with the help of internet.

Learn at your own pace – Online learners have the flexibility to learn at their own pace and complete their course.

Customised learning – Online education is a brilliant platform to customise learning interest and preference of students. Each student is allowed to customise their own learning approach depending upon their style.

Enhanced student interaction – Online learning involves better interaction between the students. It also helps bridge cultural gaps and other form of difficulties with ease.

Affordable learning – Online learning does not involve establishment cost, travelling cost, and relocating cost, so it is considered affordable in comparison to traditional courses.

With the help of online learning approach, the road to career and professional development has become easier and smoother. It helps mid-career professionals script a new success story. Online learners need to be motivated by self in order to complete their course on time and grow big in their career field.

Online MBA Degrees Helping You Surge Ahead

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If you are doing a job that is related to business administration or development, earning a postgraduate degree like an MBA, is very important for the growth of your career. A postgraduate degree is very important in the competitive work field these days where people from all strata of society compete for a respected place in their organisation and sector. Once you get an MBA, employers from all over the world will sit up and take notice as it is the most coveted degree in the job sector.

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An MBA has various areas of specialisation so that you can focus on a particular area of work and excel in it. If you think that you have to leave your present job to study for an MBA, think again. These days, online colleges offer a plethora of MBA courses to students who want to surge ahead in life. These MBA courses help working professionals complete this very important degree as they work. So, with these courses, you won’t have to quit your job to get an edge over your colleagues.

MBA degrees give you an edge over others as these degrees help you learn various theories which you can implement at work. By using the knowledge you gain while you study MBA courses, you come into the limelight. Your bosses notice your advantage and improved skills and this puts you on the list for a raise or even a promotion. In developing countries like Nigeria, an MBA is extremely useful as employers will hire those who have an advantage over others.

Online MBA in Nigeria is popular as local colleges and universities do not offer courses that are as advanced as courses provided by first world countries. Also, many colleges in Nigeria don’t even offer MBA courses. Online degrees are much more flexible and convenient than traditional degrees. These are few reasons why MBA in Nigeria is so popular among working professionals.

A Few Issues to Consider Before Enrolling In Online Psychology Degree Program

Distance education has made accessing psychology degrees convenient. Students finding it difficult to pursue the degree at traditional on-campus colleges can now enrol in online psychology degrees and study from the comfort of their own homes.

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With more and more accredited universities offering distance learning degrees, students have now access to varied range of options. Many students have a question whether earning online degree is right for them. Students should consider a few factors prior to enrolling in an online psychology degree program, including own learning needs, tuition fees, types of degree available and the accreditation status of the school.

Characteristics of Online Psychology Degree Program

You can earn a psychology degree through online universities, which are concerned over the quality of the degree programs. Followings are the key concerns for a quality psychology degree program that students must focus on prior to enrolling:

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  Access to the course

·         The Learning community

·         Students support

·         Faculty support

·         Program of study and instruction

·         Evaluation and assessment

·         Facilities and finance

·         Institutional context and commitment

·         Library and learning resources

Students must assess how the degree program offered by online universities assess these above-mentioned concerns.  

Issues To Be Considered By Students Prior To

Enrolling:

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Time Management

Students must have strong time management skills for completing online psychology degrees on time. Online education can be either synchronous or asynchronous, so students should learn to manage own study schedules. It’s time for students to be self-honest and pay attention towards their study schedules. Stay on the task and keep up with the academics to succeed in your academic endeavours.

Program Accreditation

You can check with the local education authorities to know about the accreditation of the degree program. Students should realise the importance of earning online psychology program from accredited universities, as the degrees earned from accredited colleges are valued and recognised everywhere.

Comfort With Technology

Being a student of psychology program, you must develop a certain level of comfort with various technologies. You must know at least browsing the web, sending emails and mail attachments. Other technologies which might get incorporated by the instructor include psychology podcasts, online videos, wikis, blogs and instant messaging.

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Once you have successfully completed the degree program, you have access to various job opportunities in the market. A psychologist these days is required everywhere to deal with the nuances of human life and behaviour. 

Online Degrees Throwing Light on Future of Education

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This is a digital era wherein we eat and breathe online every minute. Yes, the present generation is moving fast towards progress and the next generation is expected to grow and prosper with great technological advances.

In this context, it can be said that the generation of today is moving towards a future where every aspect of living will become technology based. The world of education is not an exception, which is witnessing a revolution with the penetration of technology. The revolution has already started. So far, there have been diverse technological endowments wielded to disseminate education to people far and wide across the world.

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John Dewey had rightly said, “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”

Hence, there should be endeavour in teaching technological subtleties to both young and old. Undeniably, online education is creating milestones in both developed and developing countries. Earning a degree through online is almost like playing a video game. Gone are the days when you visit a brick and motor institution and sit for hours through boring lectures. Everything is at fast pace available at your fingertip and so is education.

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Online education is now the new slogan to learning. Hence, there is no denying the fact that online degrees are call of the day. Check out the benefits of online degrees, as listed below:

§  Online degrees/education  offer both flexibility and convenient schedules

§  Online degrees/education encourage attending virtual classes combined with extreme comfort

§  Online degrees/education offer quality education laced with adequate resources to help you navigate through sea of information without missing on the important points

§  The online medium offers lectures and dicussion forums where you can connect with mentors and other students to reach at a final decision. After all, online study will not let you afford to miss a discussion or lecture, since you can record the same and have a look at it later when the time is right.

§  Some online degree programmes offer hybrid form of learning. It includes both on-campus learning and online study, simultaneously.

§  The most prodigious employers of today offer high recognition to qualifications that can be used for fetching good quality jobs worldwide.

What the Babson Survey Research Group  Has to Say? (in context to online education)

According to the survey, about 6.7 million students enrolled in post secondary online courses in the year 2011. The reading was 1.6 million students way back in 2002. Hence, it proves that in over a period of 8 years, more than 5 million additional students enrolled in online. This is indeed a breakthrough in the world of education.

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You would agree that students of today are the future of tomorrow. What they learn today, they utilise the knowledge tomorrow. Now that online degrees have already penetrated the world of education, students engaged in it are benefitting immensely. The future is near when students will divert from traditional degree and switch to online.

Worldwide, a number of universities are offering degrees through online by tying up with distance education providers. Do you wonder which university to choose? Though, the decision is yours; but the advice would be to select universities in UK offering various online courses.

Why?

§  UK universities offer world recognised qualifications

§  They are regarded as most popular universities offering quality education through traditional means or through online

§  Earning an online degree from UK university means ensuring a rewarding job with a top-notch company

Don’t you want to explore the avenues of learning? If that is so, then this article will prove helpful starting from why you should study through online, how the medium can help, which online degrees to choose and which university you might consider, etc.

Walk a path of success with online learning at your convenience and flexibility.