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Tag: SELI

  • SELI Commissions Community Children’s Library in Kyan Rikkos, Jos to Boost Early Literacy

    SELI Commissions Community Children’s Library in Kyan Rikkos, Jos to Boost Early Literacy

    By Israel Adamu, Jos

    The Star Education and Leadership Initiative (SELI) has commissioned a Community Children’s Library in Kyan Rikkos community, Jos, aimed at expanding access to quality reading and learning resources for children and young people.The library, officially unveiled on Tuesday, is the first child-focused learning facility of its kind in the area. It was established to provide a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that supports literacy development and positive youth engagement beyond the traditional classroom setting. Designed to serve more than 500 children, the SELI Community Children’s Library caters to children and young adults between the ages of 3 and 17 years.

    Access to the library and its educational resources is free for children within the community.According to SELI, the initiative seeks to promote early literacy, nurture a sustained culture of reading, and improve academic performance among children in underserved communities. The organisation noted that the library would also contribute to reducing learning gaps and encouraging constructive use of children’s time.The project was funded through the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a programme of the United States Department of State, administered by IREX.

    SELI acknowledged the support as critical to bringing the project to fruition.The commissioning ceremony was performed by Pastor Nathaniel Ekpekor, who praised SELI for investing in the educational development of children at the grassroots level. He urged parents and community members to take ownership of the facility and ensure it is properly used and protected.“ This library is an investment in the future of this community. When children have access to books and a supportive learning environment, they are better equipped to succeed in life,” Ekpekor said.

    Speaking at the event, Aunty Esther Onyinyechi Mark, Founder and Executive Director of SELI, explained that the library was established in response to observed learning gaps and limited access to reading materials among children in the area.She said the facility was intentionally designed to be child-friendly and inclusive, providing a space where children can develop reading habits, critical thinking skills, and positive values.“Our goal is to encourage intentional reading and create a space where children can learn, grow, and discover their potential,” Mark said. “Education should not be limited to the classroom, and this library helps extend learning opportunities into the community.”

    Mark also outlined SELI’s planned activities for the library, which include reading clubs, guided learning sessions, educational games, and community-driven programmes aimed at sustaining children’s interest in learning over time.She called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to actively support the initiative by encouraging regular use of the library and helping to safeguard its resources.“

    The success of this library depends on collective responsibility. With community support, we can raise children who love learning and are better prepared for the future,” she added.The SELI Community Children’s Library forms part of the organisation’s broader mission to promote education, leadership development, and child-centred learning in underserved communities across Nigeria.The commissioning event was attended by parents, community leaders, children, and other well-wishers, reflecting strong community acceptance and a shared commitment to sustaining the project.

  • SELI Commissions Educational Playgrounds to Enhance Learning for 500 Children in Plateau

    SELI Commissions Educational Playgrounds to Enhance Learning for 500 Children in Plateau

    By Israel Adamu, Jos

    The Star Educational Leadership Initiative (SELI) has built and commissioned two fully equipped educational playgrounds for schools in underserved communities in Plateau State, providing over 500 pupils with improved access to play-based learning.The beneficiary schools—Baptist Model Academy, Gwafan Lamingo, and Happy Days Private School, Tina Junction, Jos—received customised playgrounds featuring age-appropriate structures such as seesaws, monkey ladders, tyre-based learning tools, swings, slides, pyramids, walkways, and interactive playhuts.

    Speaking during the commissioning and handover ceremony, SELI Founder and Executive Director, Aunty Esther Onyinyechi Mark, said the initiative aims to motivate children to enrol, stay in school, and develop a stronger love for learning.“We believe access to quality education is the fundamental right of every child,” she said. “These playgrounds give children an added reason to come to school. Beyond fun, they serve as instructional materials that teachers can integrate into classroom learning.” She explained that the intervention was designed to boost school attendance and enhance learning outcomes in a region grappling with educational challenges.“

    In Northern Nigeria, particularly across the North Central and North East, we have one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children,” she noted. “This is our contribution toward helping children stay in school, feel joy, and develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Play is not just play—play is learning.” The playgrounds, she added, support children’s cognitive growth while fostering communication, social interaction, creativity, and critical-thinking skills.The project was implemented through the Reciprocal Exchange Component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a U.S. Department of State programme administered by IREX in collaboration with Play360.

    Parents, teachers, and community stakeholders expressed gratitude during the handover, noting that the new facilities have brought renewed energy to the learning environment and are expected to influence positive educational outcomes.

  • NGO Trains Over 250 Teachers in Plateau on Innovative Learning Techniques

    NGO Trains Over 250 Teachers in Plateau on Innovative Learning Techniques

    By Israel Adamu, Jos

    A non-governmental organization, Star Education and Leadership Initiative (SELI), has trained more than 250 teachers across Plateau State on innovative and child-friendly teaching approaches aimed at improving learning outcomes in schools.

    Speaking to journalists during the training held on Saturday in Jos, the founder of SELI, Esther Onyinyechi Mark, said the initiative—titled “Pages and Play: Promoting Literacy and Learning Through Child-Friendly Environments” was designed to equip teachers with 21st-century teaching skills.

    “At Star Education and Leadership Initiative, we implement projects that promote quality and equitable access to education for young people,” Mark stated. “This is our fourth annual SELI Teacher Training Workshop, and our goal is to spark teachers’ curiosity and encourage them to move beyond traditional methods by integrating play and literacy into classroom learning.”

    She explained that the concept of “Pages and Play” merges reading with joyful learning. “The idea is for teachers to combine books and play-based learning so that education becomes more engaging, effective, and meaningful for children,” she said.

    Mark emphasized that SELI’s broader mission is to make school environments more appealing and supportive for children. “We want children to be in school, to stay in school, and to love being in school,” she noted. “We achieve this through our services, such as building playgrounds and organizing teacher training workshops like this one.”

    According to her, the one-day training drew teachers from over 30 schools across Plateau State and featured six expert speakers, panel sessions, workshops, and group discussions. These sessions, she said, were designed to help teachers grow professionally and reignite their passion for teaching.

    “We don’t want teachers to teach simply because they stumbled into the profession. Even if they did, we want them to find purpose, passion, and commitment in what they do,” Mark added.

    Highlighting the diversity of participants, she noted that the program deliberately included teachers from both underserved and elite schools to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. “This mix allows teachers from different backgrounds to share ideas and learn from one another, building synergy and encouraging innovation in teaching,” she explained.

    Mark stressed that transforming teachers’ mindsets is central to improving the quality of education. “If we can change how teachers think, they can transform their classrooms, adopt modern strategies, and inspire lifelong learning in children,” she said.

    She concluded by reaffirming SELI’s commitment to advancing literacy, creativity, and leadership among both teachers and learners across Nigeria.