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Anti-Bullying Teacher Training in Nigeria with the ASHH Foundation

ByAtrium Society

The main objective of our project with the ASHH Foundation is to increase access to nonviolent conflict education in Bauchi State, Nigeria through teacher training and community outreach. The Atrium Society and ASHH Foundation are achieving this by training teachers, partnering with local organizations and schools, and distributing free educational resources.

We are aware of the unique educational and social challenges that young Nigerians face on a daily basis and are working with the Nigerian-run ASHH Foundation to meet their needs.

We are working together to:

  • Increase capacity for teacher training 10x
  • Partner with local schools and organizations to create sustainable conflict education systems for youth
  • Translate resources into Hausa and print them for greater distribution and access
  • Increase conflict education for youth, including orphans, in remote areas where psychological manipulation is common

Why this Program?

This program is unique because it addresses the root cause of violence and conflict. It helps solve the problem of what prevents peace, promotes peaceful coexistence, and is a preventative measure against violence in Nigeria.

There is increasing violence in Nigeria due to insurgencies, internally displaced people, and tribal and ethnic differences. The increased conflict and insurgency in North East Nigeria is due to prejudice. Nigerians commonly experience violence which includes:

  • Death
  • Physical confrontation
  • Emotional
  • Non-verbal
  • Discrimination
  • Marginalization
  • Denial
  • Abuse

There are also increasing reports of school bullying leading to death, injury, dropouts, psychological issues, and trauma. For people living with disabilities, this leads to confusion, crisis, and ethnic and traditional differences.

What We’ve Accomplished

Our program is very timely and creates awareness about bullying, prejudice, and violence in communities. It also provides nonviolent conflict resolution skills.

This program has raised awareness regarding the word “bully” which is now commonly used in the communities where the program is taught. People know how to address bullying/prejudicial behavior and have begun making behavioral change, including exploring nonviolent ways to resolve conflict. There is a remarkable increase in peaceful coexistence among community members.

We are seeing tremendous interest in this program and are quickly growing beyond capacity. Since 2021, the ASHH Foundation Institute has trained 135 teachers and 2,010 children in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The community has demonstrated 95% acceptance of the program.

Program Statistics

2021

  • 53% interest
  • 15 teachers trained and 8 completed
  • 240 children directly reached
  • ~500 teachers and students indirectly reached

2022

  • 75% interest
  • 20 teachers trained and 15 graduated
  • 520 children directly reached
  • ~1,000 teachers and students indirectly reached

2023

  • 100% interest
  • 100 teachers trained and 100 graduated
  • 1,250 children directly reached
  • ~3,800 teachers and students indirectly reached

With funding, the ASHH Foundation can train 1,000 teachers per year with a projected 99% success rate. Over the next five years, we envision growth to 5,000 trained teachers and 100,000 children reached. Beyond that, we hope to expand into neighboring states and countries, as well as online training.

Program Structure

The 9-month course is state-certified and taught in-person at the ASHH Foundation Institute in Bauchi, Nigeria. The ASHH Foundation currently has seven instructors teaching classes of 30 teachers. The curriculum schedule is:

First Semester

  • 3 months in-person, instructor-led training
  • 1 month in-school practicum

Second Semester

  • 3 months in-person, instructor-led training
  • 1 month in-school practicum

Graduation

  • 1 month break before graduation which usually occurs in October

The ASHH Foundation covers all costs associated with the certification—including travel, accommodation, food, and graduation—so that teachers of all needs can be trained. It costs approximately $950 USD to train one teacher for 9 months.

Community Support

The local government have been involved in making this education more accessible:

  • The Ministry of Education granted permission to go to schools
  • The traditional councils gave access to rural communities and schools
  • The Ministry of Women Affairs mobilizes youth and helps amplify the message throughout Bauchi State
  • Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria Bauchi State Chapter

The media has also been involved in spreading awareness of the program, particularly during graduation ceremonies:

  • People’s Daily Newspaper
  • Nigerian Union of Journalist
  • Bauchi State Television Agency

Program Reach in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Certified teachers are teaching children at the following schools in Bauchi State:

Donate directly to this project

Atrium Society

Since 1984 the Atrium Society has worked with teachers, students, and organizations around the world, teaching bullying, prejudice, and peace education. We also work in the martial arts to teach Mental Self-Defense™, non-violent methods to protect yourself.