Why did you create this innovation?

School violence and bullying including cyberbullying are widespread. in public schools in Nigeria. Every school term, 1 to 5 students are killed and we cannot ignore what’s happening in the classroom. School violence is an infringement of children and adolescents’ rights to education and to health and well-being.Bullying in schools deprives millions of children and young people of their fundament.

How does your innovation work in practice?

We enable schools to become places that create the conditions for true and active learning, for meaningful support and nurturance, healthy questioning, dialogue, inquiry, active engagement, real imagination, and agency. Nigeran Emotional Learning Project.NELPRO created a school-based learning tour that has created a change program. The NELPRO curriculum helps schools build the foundational support needed to launch and sustain high-quality SEL implementation.SEL interventions address NELPRO’s five core competencies: Self-awareness, Self-management, Responsible decision-making, Social awareness, Relationship skills, and increases students’ academic performance which leads to better academic outcomes and improved behaviors. These competencies, impact not only the student and classroom environment but have a broader influence on schools, homes, and communities. SEL is a coordinating framework that affects staffing, strategic plans, curriculum choices, school policies, and practices.

How has it been spreading?

Using the Curriculum for Systemic Social and Emotional Learning, we impact not only the student and classroom environment but have a broader influence on schools, homes, and communities. Our curriculum reaches staffing, strategic plans, curriculum choices, school policies, and practices. NELPRO fosters a climate that is inviting, participatory, and caring for learners. supporting the diverse needs of children and their development into well-rounded, civic-minded adults. In 2019, NELPRO reached 50000 students and made them SEL ambassadors in 10 schools around Nigeria. The 50000 were tasked with reaching 10 students each term in 3 terms, we had recorded 1,500,000 NELPRO student ambassadors in September 2020.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Project RAISEAware Students is borne out of the need to give our children space and support to develop socially and emotionally, by teaching them how to connect, express themselves, and build community with others, we can equip the next generation to confront our country’s often painful history, and imagine a more just and balanced future.