Ropheka Ed Foundation
Annual Report 2025/26
Charity Registration Number: 1191672
Introduction
In its 2024/25 Annual Report, the charity underscored a critical global challenge: Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children worldwide, with approximately 18 million excluded from formal education. This crisis is being intensified by ongoing insecurity, particularly in the northern regions, where violent attacks continue to disrupt schooling and displace communities.
The human cost of this instability is stark. On 21 November 2025, 153 students and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, as reported by BBC Africa (8 December 2025). This incident is one of many, highlighting a sustained pattern of attacks on educational institutions. The result is a growing number of children denied their right to learn—most notably girls, who face heightened barriers to education in times of crisis.
Education is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, adopted in Addis Ababa by the Organisation of African Unity, affirms unequivocally that every child is entitled to education. Yet for millions, this right remains unrealised.
Against this backdrop, the Organisation’s mission is both urgent and essential. We are deepening our commitment to delivering safe, inclusive, and high-quality education to disadvantaged children, particularly in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria. Each child reached represents not just access to schooling, but a pathway to stability, opportunity, and hope.
We are encouraged by the tangible progress being made at Ropheka International School in Otukpo, Benue State. Enrolment continues to rise steadily, with 70 pupils now attending. Behind this number are 70 individual futures being reshaped—children who, despite the odds, now have access to education in a safe and supportive environment.
While this progress is meaningful, the scale of the challenge demands sustained action. With continued support, the Organisation will expand its reach, ensuring that more children—especially girls—are not left behind, but instead equipped with the knowledge and opportunities they deserve
Matters Arising from the 2024/25 Annual Report – Action Plan
- Development of In-House Instructional Materials A proposal will be developed to produce high-quality, in-house instructional materials in core subjects—Mathematics, English (Spelling, Writing, and Comprehension), and Science. This will include an assessment of how artificial intelligence can be effectively utilised to support content development.
Action: Prepare and present a detailed proposal (including scope, costs, and timelines) to the Trustees for review and approval.
Timeline: Next Trustee meeting.
- Information Technology Infrastructure
The Organisation will undertake a review of current IT capacity to identify critical gaps affecting teaching and administration.
Action: Develop a costed plan for upgrading IT facilities, including equipment, connectivity, and staff training.
Timeline: By the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year.
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School Feeding Support
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Building on the £200 donation received in 2024/25, the Organisation will explore sustainable models to support pupil nutrition without undermining parental responsibility.
Action: Design a pilot feeding support framework (e.g., targeted support for the most vulnerable pupils) and identify potential funding sources. Timeline: Pilot proposal within 6–10 weeks.
- School Governance
The School Governor role remains unfilled due to expectations of financial remuneration. Action: Revise the recruitment strategy to target mission-aligned volunteers, including members of the diaspora and education professionals willing to serve in a voluntary capacity. Clearly define role expectations and non-financial incentives. Timeline: Shortlist of candidates within 10 weeks.
- Reading Programme Leadership The school’s reading programme requires dedicated oversight to restore and enhance its effectiveness.
Action: Recruit or designate a teacher/manager with sole responsibility for the reading programme, including setting measurable targets and monitoring progress. Timeline: Appointment within 10 weeks; progress review after one academic term.
- Website Development The Ropheka Educational Foundation website is nearing completion.
Action: Finalise content, complete testing, and launch the website. Develop a plan to use the platform for communications, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising. Timeline: Launch within 4 weeks.
- Fundraising Strengthening and diversifying fundraising remains essential to the Organisation’s sustainability.
Action: Develop and implement a structured fundraising strategy, including grant applications, donor engagement, and digital campaigns linked to the new website. Assign clear responsibility for delivery and monitoring.
Timeline: Strategy to be completed within 8 weeks; implementation ongoing.
Plan for Permanent Site
The Organisation is working in partnership with Krest Consult Nig Ltd. to design a permanent school site that will provide a safe, purpose-built learning environment for current and future pupils. The project has now reached the Bill of Quantities stage—a critical milestone that brings the vision closer to reality by enabling accurate costings and phased construction planning. Securing funding for this next phase will directly translate into expanded access to education for underserved children.
Teacher Training and Safeguarding
Investing in teaching quality and pupil safety remains central to the Organisation’s impact. During the August–September 2025 visit, the Lead Trustee delivered targeted Continuing Professional Development (CPD), strengthening classroom practice and reinforcing safeguarding standards. As a direct outcome, the school has implemented a formal Safeguarding Policy, signed by all staff and actively overseen by the Coordinating Teacher. This ensures every child learns in a safer, more supportive environment—an essential foundation for educational success.
School Activities – Expanding Aspirations
On 21 February 2026, Ropheka International School hosted a Career Day designed to broaden pupils’ horizons and inspire ambition. Local professionals from the legal, medical, and education sectors volunteered their time to engage directly with pupils, offering real-world insights into career
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pathways. For many children, this was a rare opportunity to envision futures beyond their immediate environment—helping to raise aspirations and motivate continued engagement in education.
Christmas Programme – Strengthening Community
The annual Christmas celebration, now an established part of the school calendar, plays a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging and community among pupils and their families. Held at the end of the first term, the event provides a moment of joy and recognition for children whose lives are often shaped by significant challenges, reinforcing the school as a supportive and inclusive environment.
Funding Strategy – Enabling Growth and Sustainability
To sustain and expand its impact, the Organisation is actively pursuing diverse funding streams, including grants, donor partnerships, and community-based support. Increased investment will enable the Organisation to scale its reach—improving infrastructure, enhancing teaching quality, and extending access to more disadvantaged children. Every contribution directly supports the delivery of education, safety, and opportunity to those who need it most.
Financial Overview & Budget (2025/2026)
| Items | Cost in local currency (Naira) |
Cost in £ Sterling |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Remuneration (7 Teachers) |
₦2,640,000.00 | £1500 |
| Classroom Furniture | ₦600,000.00 | £350 |
| Electricity & Water | ₦400,000.00 | £225 |
| Rent/Arrears (5 yrs) | ₦1000,000.00 | £560 |
| Radio Advertising | ₦75,000.00 | £45 |
| Shipping (Books, Toys, etc) | ₦700,000.00 | £390 |
| Travel | ₦2,000,000.00 | £1,120 |
| Stationary | ₦500,000.00 | £280 |
| Items | Cost in local currency (Naira) | Cost in £ Sterling |
| Toner Cartridge | ₦600,000.00 | £335 |
| Photocopying paper | ₦300,000.00 | £170 |
| Miscellaneous | ₦600,000.00 | £335 |
| Total | ₦9,415,000.00 | £5,231 |
| Conclusion | Approximately ₦10,000,000.00 or £6,000.00 would be required for Ropheka International School to operate this academic year. *Calculations are based on an exchange rate of ₦1800: £1. |
School Fees Paid (₦)
Ropheka Int. School charges the following fees:Nursery, ₦9000 (£5)/Term/Child (28 children) Primary, ₦10,000 (£5.60)/Term/Child (36 children)
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| Fees | 1st Term 1 | 2nd Term | 3rd Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery (28 Children) | ₦252,000.00 | ₦171,000.00 (19 paid) | ₦162,000.00 (18 paid) |
| Primary (36 Children) | ₦360,000.00 | ₦200,000.00 (20 paid) | ₦230,000.00 (23 paid) |
| Total | ₦612,000.00 | ₦371,000.00 | ₦392,000.00 |
| Total Annual school fees collected. |
₦1,375,000.00 (£765), however, ₦461,000 (£247) is owed by pupils whose parents failed to pay. |
₦500,000 (approx. £250) was used to purchase a set of classroom furniture comprising 10 2-sitter tables, 20 chairs, 4 staff work desks/tables, and 4 chairs (Aug/Sept 2025). ₦875,000 is in the custody of the coordinating teacher, Ms Vivian E Obodumu. N461,000 is owed by pupils from the last academic year. While the Organisation doesn’t want to exclude any child from school because their parents can’t afford the fees, it must find ways to address this to prevent abuse.
Conclusion
The school is making progress, but there is scope for further improvement. With increased access to high-quality learning resources and more purposeful teaching, Ropheka International School will be positioned to meet the educational needs of its pupils. The trustees remain grateful to all our supporters, donors, etc., and we look forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead.
Trustees
Dr Owoicho Okpe
Mr Christopher Lomax
Ms Josephine McLaklan
Mrs Catherine O Okpe
Advisors
The Reverend Dr Andrew Daniels & Jennifer Daniels of the Church of God Mission, Benin City, Nigeria.
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Appendix 1: Members of the Teaching Staff dishing the “Christmas Special”. Rice and Chicken!
Appendix 2:
It's never Christmas without the “Nativity” play/Carol singing. The staff did a good job!
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Appendix 3: These 3 Pupils are aiming for a career in the Military.
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