Education Without Borders in Nigeria
Q. What is the essence of partnership between RESPECT-TWB toward refugees' welfare?
A. TWB and RESPECT are both non profits dedicated to the improvement of human well being. We have education as a common interest, and working together can really create more opportunities for refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Nigeria. The essence in a way is to provide educational opportunities to refugees and IDPs in Nigeria. Also, our partnership can enhance the prospect of rehabilitation of refugees and IDPs in Nigeria. We desire to work together to feed the mind, feed the body and let the voice of refugees and IDPs be heard - and to provide linkage opportunities for IDPs.
Q. What joint initiatives you are planning to embark on to promote refugees'/IDPs' education in Nigeria?
A. We are really thinking of many things. Being aware of the fact that the Nigeria national policy on education formulated in 1978 and revised in 1981 has no provision for education for refugees and IDPs, we are seeking other ways of education for them explore how best to provide education. Some of the initiatives are "Computer Education for Refugees, Training of IDP/Refugee educators, Online university programs, etc."
Q. How do you plan and share the responsibilities among these two philanthropic organizations?
A. Responsibilities are best fulfilled when one has the ability. We shall plan and share responsibilities based on our abilities. On one hand, if TWB is "disabled", RESPECT may be able, and where RESPECT is "disabled", TWB may be able. In this way, we complement each other and continue to utilize "Ability In Disability" through our partner.
Q. You are creating pen-pal/letter exchange programs between refugees and non-refugee students. Do you have such programs among refugee-refugee students living in different countries to create better understanding and mutual help for each other?
A. For the IDP camp where we are more concerned at the moment in Nigeria, we are still working on getting the first set of letters out from IDP students.
Q. How are the funds created for educational programs?
A. As non profits, we have worked basically on donations from concerned individuals, friends and contributions from members of our organization. On the part of TWB-Nigeria, we have received support from other donors through TWB International.
Q. What are the achievements (either individually or jointly) attained so far?
A. For TWB, we inspired the IDP camp school in Calabar and alongside RESPECT have drawn the attention of many stakeholders to the situation. We have also received support from schools and groups from other countries (especially the USA).
Q. How many schools at the moment are there for refugees at IDP camps? Who has established these schools; up to which grade these schools are, and who are the teachers?
A. At the IDP camp in Calabar, there are educational opportunities for the children ranging from pre-primary, primary through secondary school. There are no post secondary schools at the camp. We (TWB) took a key leadership role in the opening of the school at the IDP camp, and now the Cross River State Government through the State Emergency Management Agency is fully in control of its administration as one of the state schools. Teachers at the camp are from the Cross River State Ministry of Education as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Q. What type of curriculum do you follow for the refugee students?
A. The curriculum for the refugee students is not different from the national curriculum being used by others in similar classes.
Q. What is the trend of education in refugees' environments? Are they motivated and aware of the importance of education? If not, how do you motivate them?
A. Refugees/IDPs are actually people in a "strange land" faced with lots of problems, including how to plan their future, feeding, health, accommodation, et al. These issues affect the trend of education at the camps, and most times, educational needs (no matter how crucial) tend to be placed as secondary priorities compared with needs like health, clothing and feeding. In general, most IDPs know the importance of education but are faced with more immediate pressing problems. Combining material provision with educational opportunities has been the approach.
Q. What educational facilities are there for the refugee students, and what you are planning to bring in?
A. For the IDP camp in Calabar, the situation is not too good yet as the basic facilities there are far below expectation for any meaningful educational endeavor. We are seeking for ways of getting electricity to the school, equip laboratories for teaching of sciences, get in computers for ICT education, and opening a center for teacher training at the school.
Q. What is the state of refugees/IDPs in Nigeria? Is there any hope for their return to their homes?
A. There is no other place like "your home" and the desire of all IDPs is to return back home. No matter what you provide, the body is at the camp but the mind is at home. There are several cases of inter-religious and inter-ethnic crises in Nigeria and this continues to create IDPs every time. Government also has been working, and in the long run, many will return back to their homes.
Q. You felt necessary to work for the refugees' cause. Please comment on the role of UNHCR and local authorities for the welfare of refugees/IDPs and their education in particular?
A. Most stakeholders are doing their best to serve the needs of refugees and IDPs but unfortunately, most times there is conflict between needs and wants. I believe that the UNHCR is doing its best, and with time, this will serve the needs and wants of the IDPs.
Q. What are the career prospects for refugee/IDP youth in Nigeria?
A. Well, learning in the wilderness is not an easy thing to do. There is no special provision for further education for refugees/IDPs. However, there is hope for a better tomorrow considering the unfolding interests.
Q. What other issues do you want to highlight?
A. Let us work together to provide "education without borders" to all people.