As children return to school this September, the new academic year brings a renewed focus on the importance of education. For families experiencing financial hardship, however, the costs associated with attending school can create significant barriers, preventing children from learning and building a better future.
In Abbi, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, a scholarship programme at Arrupe Jesuit College is helping children from the surrounding communities access education and remain in school. Launched on the 17th of September 2023, the scholarship programme is already making a positive impact on the lives of local children and their families.
Named after Pedro Arrupe, the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the co-educational institution was established by Austin Avuru and his foundation with the aim of providing quality education to the people of Abbi and the neighbouring villages. The school belongs to the Jesuits of the North/West African Province of the Society of Jesus, with the Religious Sisters of Charity joining the mission as pioneers in 2023.
The pioneers from the Religious Sisters of Charity were Sr. Beatrice Opia (Head Teacher of the Primary School), Sr Ugochi Chukwu (Matron), Sr. Elizabeth Onyekigwe (Former Head Teacher of the Primary School), Sr. Edidiong Etim (Basic Science Teacher), and Sr. Agatha Maurice (Pastoral Counsellor).
At the heart of the school’s mission is a commitment to supporting children and families in the local community. The idea for the scholarship programme was initiated by Austin Avuru, in collaboration with his foundation and the Jesuits of the North-West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. The programme was established in response to the financial challenges faced by families in the surrounding villages. Its aim is to ensure that children are not denied access to education because of their financial circumstances, providing them with the opportunity to pursue their education and build a brighter future.
Each year, the school offers a limited number of scholarship places to children from the surrounding villages, with 30 pupils accepted in each intake. Places are allocated across the different communities, and families are informed about new admissions through banners and local messages.
The scholarship, which has now entered its fourth academic year, currently provides education up to Basic 4. As part of the selection process, children complete an assessment to determine their readiness to begin at Basic 1, while parents or guardians are also interviewed. These meetings help the school to understand each family’s circumstances and ensure that the scholarships are directed towards children who are most in need of support.
The scholarship not only covers school fees; it also includes uniforms, books, school bags as well as providing children with lunch every day. The programme places a strong emphasis on the wider formation of the children, who are given opportunities to develop skills such as bead making, knitting and sewing, as well as taking part in sport and other activities. Parents and teachers also meet once a term as part of this support.
For our Sisters working in this area, the impact of the programme can be seen not only in the children’s academic progress but also in their growing confidence. Sr Beatrice Opia, now the Headteacher at Arrupe Jesuit College Nursery and Primary School has witnessed significant changes in the children since they began attending the school. Pupils who were once timid have grown in confidence, while those who previously found English difficult have made strong progress in understanding and speaking the language. They now read with confidence and fluency at College Mass.
This growing confidence is also evident during school assemblies, where pupils are encouraged to give presentations. Some pupils have even begun sharing what they have learned by teaching other children in their village communities.
On the 11th of June this year, the school celebrated its first Cultural Day bringing students, parents and guardians together to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity. The children wore traditional clothing representing different cultural groups from across the country and took part in activities that introduced them to different languages, music and dance.
For the pupils who have received scholarships when the programme was first launched in 2023, there are now two more years left at Arrupe Jesuit College before they progress to high school, where their scholarship support will continue.
As a new school year begins for students in Abbi, the scholarship programme continues to provide more access to education. It is helping children grow in confidence, learn new skills and recognise their own potential.
