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Due to his passion, love for children and to give back to society a sound and quality education that can be measured internationally, Mr Chijioke Godfrey Nwajioha, decided to establish Gran Hermano Group in Awka, Anambra State a decade ago.
Nwajioha, Chief Executive Officer of Gran Hermano hinted the academy aims to prepare children and students as responsible citizens through values education and community engagement.
In this interview, Nwajioha speaks on how the academy stays updated on educational trends and best practices, achievements, and success stories of his students in academics, sports, and ways through which the academy promotes technological integration in education to prepare students for the digital age among others.
Excerpts:
Can you share the vision and mission of your academy and how it aligns with the educational goals in Nigeria?
Gran Hermano Academy envisions providing quality education with a mission focused on academic excellence, character building, and community engagement, aligning with Nigeria’s educational goals.
Our motto is ‘Raising Leaders Through Excellence’, and we go about achieving this with great vigour and a clear conscience. Education, for us, is character-building and solving problems, and anything short of this is a total waste of time. Our students are tutored to care for humanity and uphold honesty.
What unique academic programmes or extracurricular activities does your school offer to enhance the overall development of students?
Gran Hermano Academy offers diverse academic programmes and extracurricular activities, including STEM initiatives, arts programmes, and sports, fostering a well-rounded development for students. We engage in holistic education, including career guidance and digital learning.
How does your school ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students and staff?
We prioritize safety through stringent security measures, trained staff, and a supportive environment that promotes the well-being of both students and staff. The following are some of the measures put in place to achieve this objective: Security protocols: Implementing strict access controls and security measures to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the premises. Emergency preparedness: We do this by conducting regular drills for fire outbreaks or other emergencies to ensure everyone knows how to respond appropriately.
In what ways does your institution promote technological integration in education to prepare students for the digital age? Gran Hermano Academy integrates technology through digital classrooms, online resources, and digital literacy programmes, preparing students for the challenges of the digital age. For instance, in our school, lectures are projected via smart TVs, and teachers are mandated to embrace technology by making sure that their lesson plans, notes, and examination questions are sent for vetting via soft copies. Assignments and lecture notes are given to the students through their laptops (for the senior students) or projected on the board or smart TV (for the junior students).
Also, during our summer school every August, we organise coding and STEM education for our students to develop the skills relevant to the digital landscape. In addition to this, our students also undergo cybersecurity education and digital safety to prepare them for responsible digital citizenship. By embracing these strategies, Gran Hermano Academy aims to equip students with the digital literacy and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven society.
How does your school address the challenges of providing quality education while keeping it affordable for a diverse range of students?
We address affordability challenges by implementing cost-effective measures without compromising on the quality of education, ensuring access for a diverse student population.
We offer scholarships and financial aids, optimizing operational costs and leveraging technology for cost-effective learning resources.
For instance, in Gran Hermano Academy, there are several scholarship initiatives for vulnerable, bright, and underprivileged students, which are open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential.
During our 10th anniversary celebration last December, we raised funds for that purpose. These initiatives help to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic status. The scholarship is to reward hard work, assist the underprivileged, and challenge other students to do better.
How does your school contribute to the cultural and social development of students, emphasizing values and ethics? Cultural and social development is nurtured through values-based education at Gran Hermano Academy, by fostering a sense of community, respect, and ethical behaviour among students. We contribute to this by ensuring an inclusive environment that promotes diversity. We incorporate values and ethics through curriculum, extracurricular activities, and character education programmes.
Additionally, we organize events that celebrate various cultures through our cultural carnival celebrations, encourage students to appreciate diversity, and develop a sense of social responsibility towards one another. The overall goal is to equip students with the values and ethics necessary for positive contributions to society.
What measures are in place to monitor and improve the academic performance of students, ensuring they meet national educational standards?
Gran Hermano Academy closely monitors academic performance, employing measures for improvement and ensuring alignment with national educational standards. Continuous assessment and targeted interventions contribute to maintaining high academic standards.
Also, the use of laptops is now compulsory for our senior classes which enables the teachers to send soft copies of their notes, assignments, and projects to the students. This makes teaching easy and the students have the topics prepared on time before going for lectures. CBT software is equally installed on the laptops for the students to practice with on their own.
How does your school support students’ mental and emotional well-being, particularly in challenging times?
Supporting students’ mental and emotional well-being is a priority at Gran Hermano Academy, with counseling services and proactive programmes in place, especially during challenging times. We do this also by organising workshops and awareness campaigns to help our students. Our counselling department is well-positioned to address individual needs and promote a supportive environment.
Can you highlight any recent achievements or success stories of your students in academics, sports, or other extracurricular activities?
Recent achievements at Gran Hermano Academy include outstanding academic results, sports victories, and commendable performances in various extracurricular activities. For instance, in last year’s UTME, three of our students scored 324, 322, and 320, with many having a score of 280 and above. Our students make their university admission requirements in WASSCE in one sitting.
In the last two editions of NECO BECE, two of our students made 11 distinctions out of 11 subjects entered. External competitions are not left out. Most recently in 2023, our student, Miss Obi Victoria got the first position in the Decathlon Science and Mathematics competition while Miss Ike-Nnagbo Melody won the SPMC’s My Period Stories National Essay Competition.
How do you stay updated on educational trends and best practices, ensuring that your school remains innovative and responsive to changing needs?
As a forward-thinking educational institution, Gran Hermano Academy employs a proactive approach to staying updated on educational trends and best practices, ensuring continuous innovation and responsiveness to changing needs. Here are some strategies; Professional Development Programmes: Gran Hermano Academy invests in ongoing professional development programmes for its staff. These include workshops, seminars, and training sessions that focus on the latest educational trends, teaching methodologies, and technological advancements.
In terms of certification, Gran Herman Academy now registers its students for IGCSE and Checkpoint examinations. Our teachers are also Cambridge certified, meaning that they can teach in any Cambridge school anywhere in the world. Similarly, our students can gain admission into any international university of their choice with their Cambridge certificates.
In what ways does your school contribute to the moral and ethical development of students, preparing them to be responsible citizens in society? Moral and ethical development is integral to our curriculum at Gran Hermano Academy, aiming to prepare students as responsible citizens through values education and community engagement. Values education, community engagement, positive role models, and student-led initiatives collectively contribute to preparing students as responsible and ethical citizens in society.
