VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (VPSI)

THE NNAUSA TEN YEAR VPSI

Background

One of the recurring objectives of NNAUSA is the improvement of resources in ala-Ngwa and the enhancement of opportunities for its deprived youths. Over the years, our association has tried to work towards this end, 1^st through its involvement in the Ngwa Hall Project at Aba and the current NEOF Educational Awards to High School Scholars. Judging from our experience, it is clear that we are very much limited on what we could do at home from here. Even with the availability of the financial resources, we still lack the necessary platform at home that would make our projects cost-effective. However, that does not mean that we should give up on our objective of doing what we could for the improvement of our motherland, and the enhancement of opportunities for the younger generation. What this means is that we can do only so much effectively, until we manage to achieve the necessary confidence in our people at home to establish a working structure. It is in the light of this that we are proposing a village primary schools improvement project that would be sustained for at least the next 10 years. This program shall complement our NEOF Awards that has remained highly successful for the past 6 years. This project is also consistent with the preliminary recommendations of the NNAUSA’s strategic planning committee.

Introduction

The village primary schools (VPS) are the heart of the community and provide an environment and venues where families, educators and community members join together to create a dynamic, exciting center for learning and dialogues. It is also the very first environment and exposure a child is bound to confront on his or her way to educational pursuit. The problem is that many of these village primary schools are threatened by long-term neglect resulting in dilapidated infrastructure: roofless buildings,  lack of instructional materials, broken desks or chairs, lack of ventilation, sanitation problems, erosion of quality instruction and aggressive competition from private schools.  Such dilapidated infrastructure and unpleasant VPS environment affect educational quality, and can discourage children whose parents cannot afford private primary from going to school.   The statistics are grim but considering the importance of primary education as the main foundation of development, village primary schools in Ngwa land are worth saving through NNAUSA’s goal of home improvement and empowerment

Objectives of the Proposal

The main objectives of the NNAUSA Ten Year VPS Improvement Project is to help prevent the collapse of village primary schools in Ngwa land through rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure, or by providing instructional materials support (e.g. schools without roof, wall, furniture and other instructional materials). Support may also include books, computers, uniforms, and other essentials needed to ensure continued access to primary education.

Methodology

• The project comprises of technical assistance, instructional material support and infrastructure improvement.

• The NNAUSA VPS Improvement Project should benefits 7 primary schools each year; with one primary school from each local government to be selected by lottery ballot at the national council meeting or convention.  

• The NNAUSA VPS Improvement Project should benefits 7 primary schools each year; with one primary school from each local government.

• The 7 primary schools shall be selected by lottery ballot at the national council meeting or the convention.

• Villages whose sons and daughters reside in the United States but are not verifiable financial members of NNAUSA would not qualify for the NNAUSA VPS Improvement Project.  

Project Custody, Management and Reportability                                                                

NNAUSA VPS Improvement Project shall be managed by a Committee comprising of selected NEOF members, NNAUSA financial secretary, and NNAUSA members to be recommended to the National Council by the Executive Committee for approval based on their experience and technical skills in project management.

VPS Project Cost and Financing

At the heart of VPS Improvement Project Initiative is the challenge for NNAUSA to come up with the appropriate fund to finance this project. This project would be financed by membership dues, and an aggressive fund raising for this project. NEOF and the project committee would take leadership in fund raising for VPS improvement project. The primary estimate for this project is $35,000.00 per year with about $5,000 earmarked for each selected school. The actual costs and school needs as well as other specific details of the budget etc, shall be worked out as the project moves proceeds. We envisage that this project shall be lunched, with dedicated fundraising, at the Washington DC Convention in September 2008.

Thank You and God Bless.

Elelenta Nwanbuisi Elele, Ph.D.
President and CEO
For the Executive

TASK FORCE MEMBERS (2008-2012)

Completed projects with dedication ceremony pictures are in red font

(click to view and print)