Teaching at the Women’s Vocational Centre

Malam Usman, Coordinator for the Doya Centre program

Elevating women to a status of first class citizenship is slowly evolving in the northern states of Nigeria.  A number of groups and projects support the need for education for girls, yet there is much to be done.  Many girls don’t have the opportunity to attend or complete school.  Those  who do attend school lag behind their male counterparts  in both literacy and numeracy skills.  I suppose there are many reason for these differences.  Even though there has been an increase of attentions and support for girl child education throughout the country more needs to be done and positive results will hopefully come in time.

An energizer to start the session

For five weeks while I was here in Bauchi, I worked with facilitators at the Doya Women’s Centre on strategies for literacy instruction. Girls who have dropped out of school attend classes at the center.  Eighteen women who teach courses on English, Hausa, mathematics, tailoring, knitting and hair dressing among other vocational skills took part in the sessions. The center is supported by the Adolescent Health and Education Development Center (AHEAD). Personally I feel the students, all girls between the ages of 13 and 18, should also be provided instruction in skills related to living in the 21^st century—computer, cell phone, photocopier repair, even auto repair. Why not?

The facilitators were all very enthusiastic and have high expectations for their students.  One of the vocational teachers said she wanted her students to learn all they could and be able to live independently.    The facilitators agreed to meet with me just after regular school hours, so many had to bring their children to our sessions.  The youngest participant was about a year old. I think the children enjoyed themselves as much as their mothers. 

Hopefully, engagement with this group will continue as it will help build a solid foundation for the education of girls using learner centered instruction.


On our last day together, the ladies were encouraged to write any questions they had on index cards and I answered them at the end of the session. Here are some of their questions and comments just as they were written:  

1. "In your name Madame I can see Mc in your surname. What does that Mc mean as I see it in so many names of the people?"


2." Black Americans don't want to be called Nigro but I read it in the card you distributed to us. And what does that card mean?" (The card was a bookmark about Zora Neale Hurston.  This was definitely not a short answer question!)


3."After you have finish your period of lecture in Nigeria, when are you coming back to see what you have tought at the back?"


4."Apart from English, can you speak in another language again? If so which tribe?"


5. My question is that do you have children? If yes how many are they in number" and on another--"What is the name of your children?"


6. "You have said you don't have a husband. Is he died or not?.. When (do) you go back to America?"


7. I want to communicate with you when you are back in your country.


8. "Hello Ma.  I am just to thanks for what you have tought us. May God bless you."


I am blessed.