morganable News / Communities
Makoko pupils have received educational materials from two non-governmental organisations in a back-to-school intervention aimed at reducing learning difficulties among children from low-income households and improving access to basic education in the Lagos waterfront community.
Lagos —
Two non-governmental organisations, Afriimpact Development Organisation and STEMi Makers of Africa, have provided educational materials to 148 pupils at Progress Nursery and Primary School in Makoko, Lagos State.
The intervention, delivered through a back-to-school initiative, seeks to address the shortage of basic learning resources among children whose families struggle to meet the financial demands of education.
The programme comes as many parents in the community continue to face economic difficulties that affect their ability to provide exercise books, writing materials and other school necessities.
For some families, preparing their children for a new school term means making difficult choices between educational expenses and other household needs.
The organisations said they became concerned after discovering that some pupils were still using exercise books from the previous term more than 30 days after schools had resumed.
Others reportedly shared one notebook across several subjects because their parents could not afford additional supplies.
The intervention therefore provides immediate assistance to the pupils while drawing attention to the wider challenges affecting education in underserved communities.
148 Pupils Receive Educational Support
The donation was made under Afriimpact Development Organisation’s Back to School Education Initiative, in partnership with STEMi Makers of Africa.
The beneficiaries attend Progress Nursery and Primary School in Makoko, a waterfront settlement in Lagos where many families depend on informal economic activities to earn a living.
Although residents continue to work hard to support their households, financial limitations can make it difficult for parents to meet the educational needs of their children.
In some cases, pupils attend school without all the materials required for their daily lessons. Others have to manage old exercise books or share available supplies with classmates.
These challenges may affect how children participate in classroom activities. A pupil without an exercise book, for example, may struggle to take notes, complete assignments or organise lessons properly.
The donation was designed to reduce some of these difficulties by providing the beneficiaries with fresh school materials.
For the 148 pupils who received support, the intervention offers an opportunity to continue their studies with access to some of the basic resources needed in the classroom.
Although the donation does not resolve every challenge facing the school, it addresses a practical problem that can affect children’s learning experiences.
Financial Pressure Continues to Affect Schooling
Providing children with quality education requires more than enrolling them in school. Parents must also meet several financial responsibilities throughout the academic year.
These include school fees, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, writing materials and transportation. When families have more than one child in school, the expenses can become even more demanding.
For households with limited incomes, these responsibilities often compete with other basic needs such as food, accommodation, healthcare and electricity.
As a result, some parents may not be able to purchase every item on their children’s school lists immediately.
This situation should not automatically be interpreted as a lack of interest in education. Many parents understand the importance of schooling but face financial limitations that affect how quickly they can provide the necessary materials.
However, the absence of basic supplies can create additional difficulties for pupils.
Children who lack adequate materials may find it harder to follow classroom instructions, complete written exercises and participate fully in lessons.
Teachers may also need to provide additional assistance to pupils who cannot afford the resources required for regular school activities.
The situation in Makoko highlights why educational support programmes should consider the economic circumstances of families.
Providing school materials can help remove one immediate barrier and allow children to concentrate better on their studies.
Afriimpact Explains the Need for Intervention
Rosemary Chidera Onugha, founder and programme lead of Afriimpact Development Organisation, said her team noticed the shortage of learning materials during its engagement with the school.
According to her, some pupils were still using exercise books from the previous academic term, while others shared one notebook across several subjects.
She expressed concern that the lack of basic educational supplies could affect children’s confidence and classroom participation.
Onugha also explained that receiving a new exercise book could encourage a child to become more interested in learning, ask questions and participate in school activities.
Her observation highlights an important aspect of educational development: children need an environment that allows them to participate meaningfully in their studies.
Although learning materials alone cannot guarantee academic success, they provide pupils with essential tools for carrying out everyday classroom activities.
A child who has the necessary books and writing materials can take notes, practise lessons and complete assignments more comfortably.
Therefore, interventions that address these basic needs remain important, particularly in communities where parents face financial challenges.
Partnership Strengthens Community Education
The collaboration between Afriimpact Development Organisation and STEMi Makers of Africa also demonstrates the importance of partnerships in addressing social challenges.
Community organisations often understand the difficulties facing residents because they work closely with schools, families and other local stakeholders.
By collaborating, they can combine resources, knowledge and experience to reach more people.
Onugha acknowledged that the partnership with STEMi Makers of Africa helped her organisation reach more learners and provide educational support to the beneficiaries.
Such cooperation can encourage other organisations, businesses and individuals to contribute to education through donations, mentorship, learning programmes and other forms of assistance.
However, these interventions should respond to the actual needs of the communities they serve.
For example, schools can identify pupils who lack basic learning materials, while parents can explain the financial difficulties affecting their ability to provide them.
Organisations can then use this information to develop programmes that address specific problems.
The Makoko intervention also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
Achieving this objective requires cooperation among government institutions, schools, parents and development partners.
Parents and Schools Must Work Together
While external assistance can provide relief, parents and guardians remain important partners in children’s education.
Onugha encouraged parents to prioritise their children’s basic educational needs without feeling pressured to provide everything at once.
This advice recognises that families have different financial circumstances and may need to plan their expenses gradually.
Parents can begin by providing the materials children need most for everyday classroom activities. They can also communicate with teachers when financial difficulties prevent them from meeting certain school requirements.
Schools, in turn, can identify pupils who need assistance and explore ways to connect them with available support programmes.
Teachers can also encourage children to take care of their learning materials so that donated supplies remain useful throughout the academic year.
These steps can help strengthen the relationship between families and schools while ensuring that children receive the attention they need.
Continued Support Remains Important
The donation to 148 pupils represents a positive intervention, but the wider challenges affecting education in underserved communities require sustained attention.
Children need more than exercise books to succeed academically. They also require qualified teachers, safe classrooms, adequate learning facilities and access to relevant educational resources.
Government institutions have a major responsibility in providing these conditions. However, community organisations and private partners can complement public efforts through targeted programmes.
Regular educational support, reading activities, digital literacy programmes and mentorship opportunities can help children develop skills beyond their normal classroom lessons.
For Makoko, continued cooperation among parents, teachers, community organisations and other stakeholders could improve the learning experience of more children.
Ultimately, every child deserves an opportunity to receive quality education, regardless of the financial circumstances of their family.
The intervention by Afriimpact Development Organisation and STEMi Makers of Africa shows how partnerships can address practical educational challenges. Although the donated materials cannot solve every problem, they provide immediate support to pupils who need it.
Sustaining such efforts will be important in ensuring that children from underserved communities are not left behind.
