“Every day I have pressure from the students coming around to inquire when the various learning centres will become effective”, says a busy Education Officer for the Diffa distance education project Mr. Djibril Adbou. Since the information on the upcoming launch of the project was made known, 445 students, out of which we have 162 girls, have registered for the junior secondary school and senior secondary school classes. The distance learning project will benefit displaced students from Nigeria who wish to continue their education in English.

“I feel confident in assuming the responsibility conferred on me through this position having been in the field of education for over sixteen years”, says Mr. Djibril Adbou recruited by UNHCR’s partner “Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)”, a NGO from Italy. “As we speak, we are finalizing contracts with landlords in Diffa, Kablewa, Bosso and Maine Soroa and the school equipment is ready.” Not only students are excited but the teachers as well. “I am waiting anxiously to start the assignment”, says 32 year-old Maina Mustapha a teacher (who hails from Borno State) ready to teach students at both the junior and senior levels.

There is a lot of excitement across the board from the direct beneficiaries (students), their home government Nigeria and the Niger authorities. Between September 8th and 14th 2014 29 selected teachers from Diffa, Bosso, Kablewa and Maine Soroa were in Diffa for a training workshop with the UNHCR Education Consultant, the Implementing Partner, and Diffa Regional school authorities. The workshop activities centered on distance education methodology; Nigerian junior secondary school and senior secondary school curricula and the teachers’ guide aimed at imparting the teachers with what is expected of them. Earlier, in August 2014, the Education Consultant and the Deputy Representative travelled to Nigeria to brief the education authorities who were very appreciative of the project and pledged their support. Back in Niger, the Ministry of Education and the “Fondation Guri” led by the First Lady have promised support to the project.

As of October 1, 2014 four main learning centres - Bosso, Diffa, Kablewa and Mainé Soroa -were retained and three minor centres Gamgara, Garin Amadou,Kirikiri have grown as a result of the great demand. In addition to the 445 students, 33 teachers/tutors have been identified and trained.

Pending the construction of the various learning centres other facilities are being rented temporarily to begin the classes. According to the UNHCR Education Officer, everything being equal, lessons will start in the coming days: “To be honest almost everybody is eager to see the learning start – foremost the students but also the teachers, Niger school authorities, UNHCR and partners and of course the Nigerian government”, concludes Djibril Adbou.

Photo ©UNHCR : Forcibly displaced Nigerian youths eager to learn