1 ## **Ropheka Ed Foundation** **Annual Report 2024/25** _**Charity Registration Number: 1191672**_ ## **1. Annual Visit to Ropheka International School, Otukpo, Nigeria** ## **Introduction** In April 2013, two of the current trustees visited Hebron School in Ooty, South India. Hebron is a wellmanaged Christian school, and the trustees had a wonderful time. They dined with the students and staff, attended a concert performed by the students, and toured the school facilities. Hebron is an excellent school. Upon their return to the UK, while planning for Ropheka International School, the trustees adopted many good practices observed at Hebron School. The 2024 Review (Govt Business Journal) stated that “Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of children out of school in the world, with over 18 million missing education.” The trustees are pleased to report that Ropheka International School is in its fourth year and is helping to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This annual report will highlight some of our successes and challenges. ## **2. Careers Day** A career day, held in November 2024, was organized by the lead teacher. Local professionals, such as doctors, engineers, and teachers, spoke to the children about their prospective careers. Some pupils dressed up as doctors, soldiers, and a few as pastors to contribute to making it “real. " The day was memorable; the pupils were very excited, and the parents suggested that this be an annual event. (See Figures 1- 3 in Appendix A). This was the highlight of the trustee’s visit. ## **3.0 Academic Programmes and Teacher Training** A trustee visited Ropheka International School in Otukpo, Nigeria, from September to December 2024. The visiting trustee conducted professional development sessions for the teaching staff, focusing on effective lesson planning with clear learning objectives and strategies to enhance pupil engagement. Teachers were encouraged to adopt interactive teaching methods rather than relying solely on extensive note-taking from the board. Particular emphasis was placed on learning English, especially reading, and Mathematics. Recognizing the national shortage of qualified teachers, the Foundation will continue its teacher training initiatives with every visit. It was encouraging to observe the high level of enthusiasm among the pupils, which further emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding support to meet their educational needs. The trustee taught Primary 4 (UK equivalent of Year 4) for two months and collaborated with teachers to develop and distribute tailored learning resources for all classes. The teachers were also supplied with essential teaching and learning materials. A school-wide assessment in English and Mathematics will be conducted during the next visit to incentivise teaching quality further. Teachers whose classes achieve a pass rate of 75% or more will receive a one-month salary bonus. ## **4. Academic Resources and Infrastructure** 2 The organization provided the visiting trustee £200 to subsidize the production of learning materials for the pupils. These included resources for English, mathematics, science, writing, phonics, and colouring. The school teachers were also given high-quality instructional books. This initiative will continue in the 2025/26 academic year, with preparations already underway for a rollout in September 2025. To enhance efficiency and capacity, there are plans to upgrade the current photocopier. A benefactor in the UK has offered to donate a higher-capacity copier to manage our growing numbers. There is a notable increase in pupil enthusiasm for learning, which may be attributed to our provision of high-quality learning resources. It is important to reiterate that the Foundation fully complies with copyright regulations. (Figures 4 – 6 in Appendix A) ## **5. IT Infrastructure and Training** There is a growing need to integrate IT skills into both teaching and learning. At present, the school has only one computer. To deliver basic IT instruction to the pupils and enable teachers to access online teaching resources, the school aims to acquire at least ten additional computers. The goal is for every pupil to receive at least one IT lesson per week. Investment in IT training for both staff and students is now imperative. ## **6. Feeding Programme** During the visit, our trustee observed that many pupils had lost weight, indicating poor nutrition at home (See Figure 11 in Appendix A). After reporting his findings to the trustees in the UK, a missionary couple and our advisors assisted in raising £200 for a “feeding program” for the students. With inflation in Nigeria exceeding 30%, many parents are encountering difficulties. This donation will be held in trust until we establish a sustainable feeding program. ## **7. Christmas Party** Despite economic hardship in Nigeria, the Christmas Party held in December 2024 was a joyful occasion. A total of £50 was raised to fund food, drinks, and entertainment for pupils and their parents. The event was a great success and brought a sense of community and celebration to the school. (Figure 9, Appendix A). ## **8. Staffing and Governance** **Teaching Staff** : The school has six teachers—two in Nursery and four across Primary 1 to 4. With the addition of Primary 5 in 2025/26, one more teacher and a new classroom would be required. Estimated cost: N900,000 (approx. £450). **School Governor** : The Foundation continues its search for a suitable local candidate. Volunteering remains a cultural challenge, but efforts are ongoing. ## **9. Library and Reading Programme** In 2024, over 500 new and used books donated by members of the People’s Fellowship and Authentic City Church Manchester were shipped to Ropheka International School in Nigeria. The school launched 3 a reading program for Primary 3 and 4 pupils. Each pupil was given a book to read for a month and then write comments on what they enjoyed most about the story. This proved to be extremely popular, especially among avid readers. As a result, the school is ready to expand this provision across all classes. However, a librarian and reading program manager will be needed to oversee the reading project. ## **10. Website Development** The school's official website is currently under development and is expected to be launched by June 2025. It will be accessible at: www.rophekaed.co.uk ## **11. Christian Education** Ropheka International School is committed to nurturing pupils in Christian values alongside their core curricular subjects. Bible stories will be integrated more thoroughly into the curriculum alongside daily morning assemblies. Trustees are currently sourcing appropriate digital materials to support this initiative. ## **12. Fundraising and Crowdfunding** A trustee attended a fundraising webinar in January 2025 to gain insights into strategies for raising capital for the school’s permanent site. Crowdfunding and online giving platforms are being considered for future campaigns. ## **13. Financial Overview & Budget (2024/25)** ## **Projected Budget** |**Item**|**Estimated Cost (₦) Approx. Cost (£)**|**Estimated Cost (₦) Approx. Cost (£)**| |---|---|---| |Staff Remuneration (6 teachers)**₦**2,400,000||£1,200| |School Furniture|₦700,000|£350| |Electricity|₦240,000|£120| |Water|₦120,000|£60| |Rent (4 years arrears)|₦800,000|£400| |Advertisement|₦50,000|£25| |Cargo (Books etc.)|₦700,000|£350| |Travel|₦2,000,000|£1,000| |Stationery|₦500,000|£250| |Ink Cartridges|₦600,000|£300| |Photocopier Paper|₦240,000|£120| 4 **Item Estimated Cost (₦) Approx. Cost (£)** Library Setup (incl. furniture) ₦1,000,000 £500 Miscellaneous ₦500,000 £250 **Total** ₦ **10,010,000 £5,005** ## **14. Fee Structure & Collections (2024/25)** ## **Tuition and Levies** **Term Nursery Primary 1–4** Term 1 ₦16,500 (£9) ₦21,500 (£11) Term 2 & 3 ₦6,500 (£4) ₦11,500 (£6) Additional charges include textbooks, uniforms, hygiene and library levies, and sports kits . ## **15. Fee Collection Summary** - **Term 1 Fees Collected** : ₦180,000 (£90) - **Expenditure** : ₦146,200 (£74) - **Credit Balance** : ₦33,800 (£17) - **Term 2 Pupil Enrollment** : 44 - Fees Paid: 28 pupils - Outstanding: 16 pupils - **Fees Collected (Term 2)** : ₦266,000 (£133) - **Total Funds in Credit** : ₦299,800 (£150) - This money is held in the school’s safe. ## **16. UK Bank Balance (LLOYDS BANK)** £3,900 ## **17. Conclusion** The 2024/25 academic year has been a significant period of progress, despite the challenges faced. With increased access to learning resources, stronger teacher development, and more structured administrative planning, Ropheka International School is better positioned to meet the educational needs of its pupils. The trustees are grateful to all supporters and look forward to continued collaboration in the year ahead. ## **18. Trustees** Dr. Owoicho Okpe, Lead trustee 5 Mr Christopher Lomax Ms Josephine McLaklan Mrs Catherine O Okpe ## **Advisers** The Reverend Dr Andrew Daniels & Mrs Jennifer Daniels (Emeritus Principal, ANFCBII, Church of God Mission, Benin City, Nigeria). ## **Appendix A** Figure 1: A nurse from a local hospital addressing the pupils on careers in medicine. Figure 2: Prospective Medical practitioners on careers day. 6 Figure 3: Those aiming for a career in the military. Figure 4: Primary 4 pupils in a lesson, using the resources provided by the school. 7 Figure 5: Some of the pupils who participated in the reading programme. Figure 6: This caption was featured in one of the school’s teacher training sessions on “How not to teach children”. The above health education lesson notes were for a Primary 3 class! Figure 7: The current cohort of pupils, 2024/25 academic year. 8 Figure 8: Teachers at the school in the 2024/25 academic year. Figure 9: The Nativity scene during the Christmas 2024 party. 9 Figure 10: The organization commits over £200 per year to furnish the school. The chairs in the above picture were a small part of the furniture needed for the nursery classes in the 2024/25 academic year. Figure 11: A report by IMF/World Bank in 2025 indicated that 106 million people were living in poverty in Nigeria in 2024. This represents roughly 50% of the population and, unfortunately, affects the wellbeing of children. In the photograph above, taken in October 2024, the children had lost weight compared to the same period in the previous year. This prompted a call for help, which raised £200. (See item 6).