Problems We Address

The following  areas have a huge impact on education in Nigeria.

• ​Shortage of Classroom Resources
• Education For Girls
• Children Working
• Schooling Costs
• Proximity of Schools
• Cultural Bias
• Dropout Rate
• Lack of Investment
• Security At School
• Lack of Clean Drinking Water
• Reliable Source of Electricity
• Shortage of Public Resources

Shortage Of Classroom Resources

The policy of the government is hindered by a shortage of funds and consequently resources, this results in a continuing  shortage of schools, facilities and teachers available for even basic education continues to remain, the result is inadequate facilities for the eligible number of children and youth. The library at the school is not adequate so AEP has paid for books and other resource materials for the school.
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​Apr 2014 - Computers for Grace International School
​Jun 2016 - Yoruba Society of CT donated funds for laptops
Dec 2017 - Book Drive For Graceland International School
Dec 2017 - Books Shipped to Nigeria
Jun 2018 - Stocking the Resource Library at Grace International School
Jul 2018 - Classroom Upgrades

Education for girls

​Girls deserve an equal opportunity to gain an education as do boys. For example the student enrollment at our first project Graceland International School is over 50% girls. This is unusual in a region where education of girls is not a high priority in many families. This is usually a question of economics. In a region of Nigeria that is relatively poor, girls often have to work to supplement the family income. Another cultural issue is pressure to arrange early marriages for girls. 

Graceland International School is our first project in Northern Nigeria. It is through this co-educational secondary school that we are making every effort to help improve this dire situation, especially in respect to the education of girls. The challenge of girls’ education is an is an important element of AEP's focus. In the North particularly, the gender gap remains particularly wide and the proportion of girls to boys in school ranges from 1 girl to 2 boys to 1 to 3 in some States.
Hindrances. The following hindrances to even the most basic educational opportunities apply to both boys and girls but they are even more difficult for girls to overcome.
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April 2014 - Educating Girls

cHILDREN WORKing

​Northern Nigeria's economy is primarily based on agriculture, where subsistence farmers eke out a meager existence. Produce that is over and above what is needed by the family is sold in markets or trucked to other areas of Nigeria. Many children do not attend school because their labor is needed to assist with planting, harvesting, and selling of produce to bring additional income into the family.

August 2018 - The Most Powerful Weapon to Change The World

sCHOOLING Costs

Many families cannot afford the costs associated with an education.  In addition to tuition, parents are also responsible for providing their children with uniforms, school books, and supplies.  These costs are more than many families can provide. When a family has limited resources for education they usually choose to send their boys to school and not their girls.  ​

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Proximity of Schools​

Many children live a distance from the nearest school.  As there is no current system of universal transportation to schools, children must walk, often rising early to do so and traveling hours to get to school.  Some parents can bring their children and some schools may provide a van, but a universal, scheduled and managed system in not in place.   
The region is not served by reliable public transportation, therefore to enable students who live at a distance from the school, AEP has purchased two buses, which transport students and some teachers to the school.

​May 2014 - School Bus
June 2015 - School Buses
August 2018 - Buses for Graceland International School

Cultural bias

Another cause of low enrollment, especially in the North, is cultural bias. Many parents choose not to send their children, especially girls, to school. Girls’ lives are often directed by deeply ingrained cultural values and include early, pre-arranged marriages.   

​Sept 2015 - School begins third academic year

Dropout rate

Even when children enroll in schools, many do not complete the primary cycle. According to current data, 30% of pupils drop out of primary school and only 54% transit to Junior Secondary Schools. Reasons for this low completion rate again include child labor, economic hardship and early marriage for girls

Aug 2018 - The Most Powerful Weapon to change The World

Lack of investment

​In Nigeria, basic education rates are still low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries. The result of under investment is that most schools are overcrowded and resource poor.
The future success of Nigeria as a nation makes it imperative that the youth of Nigeria have access to good educational opportunities. This is especially true in the North, where some historic and contemporary issues have inhibited access to education.
We invite you to become become a partner with us and our Nigerian partners to help in addressing these problems, through your financial support.

​Jan 2014 - AEP Grant recipient 
Feb 2013 - Grant Received

Teacher Workshops

10/12/2018 - Meeting with Teachers and Administrative Staff

Security at School

For the security of the school and its adjoining property, AEP provided funds for a perimeter wall around the whole property, the wall was constructed of reinforced concrete blocks to a height of 8 feet and was completed in 2017. ​

​April 2016 - Wall Fundraiser can you help?
Aug 2017 - Update on Security Wall Summer Trip 2017

Lack of Clean Drinking Water

The school needs a steady supply of clean water. A borehole (well) has been dug for this purpose. The cost of this borehole has been shared between the school and the adjacent Graceland Hospital, water will be piped from this borehole to both facilities. ​

Jun 2018 - Clean Water for Graceland International School

Reliable Source of Electricity

The electricity supply is erratic and unreliable, to overcome this problem AEP has given funds for solar panels to ensure a steady supply of power for the school. This is especially important for the computer and science labs which require air conditioning.

May 2018 - Solar Electricity for Graceland International School

Shortage of Public Resources

The hospital will provide not only basic medical care but surgery and maternity services as well. Being branded under the school name will strengthen the connection between medical care and education. Students from the school will be able to get first-hand experience in the medical fields by walking through the gate.

Jun 2018 - Clinic Adjacent to Graceland International School
Jul 2018 - Graceland Hospital open adjacent to GIS