KWALE/Nigeria: Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has celebrated 190 teachers and engaged 3,012 students in five public secondary schools in Delta and Akwa Ibom states as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The programme brought together students, teachers and school administrators to recognise educators’ contributions to learning and highlight the importance of sustained investment in education.
The participating schools were Community Secondary School, Iko, Eastern Obolo; Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi; Air Force Comprehensive High School, Uyo; Army Day Secondary School, Ibagwa, Abak, all in Akwa Ibom State; and Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale, Delta State.
The activities were organised under VCDF’s Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP), Model School Initiative (MSI) and Transforming Teachers for Tomorrow (T3), which the foundation says are designed to improve learning opportunities, strengthen teaching capacity and expand access to quality educational resources.
World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5. The 2026 edition marked 60 years since the adoption of the 1966 International Labour Organization and UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. Its theme was “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Futures.”
Across the five schools, students used the occasion to express appreciation for their teachers through personalised greeting cards, a “Tree of Gratitude” activity and student-led presentations. Debates, cultural performances, interactive games and appreciation sessions also formed part of the programme.
Teachers shared experiences from their professional journeys, reflecting on the fulfilment they derive from teaching and the influence their students have had on their commitment to the profession.
At Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale, Mrs Ameneke Theresa Nkemjika, the vice-principal for administration, said her more than three decades in teaching had given her satisfaction through the opportunity to impart knowledge and watch students progress in life.
“I have been teaching for more than 30 years now, and I have really enjoyed this job. It helps in impacting knowledge, and it has been joyful seeing my students progress in life,” she said, while appreciating the Delta State Government, Sterling Oil and VCDF for the initiative.
Another teacher at the school, Mrs Otuagoma Beatrice, said the recognition made educators feel valued by their students.
“Really, I am excited. It means we are valued, and we are important. I felt happy when the students mentioned my name; it shows the students appreciate what we do,” she said.
The principal of Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, Mrs Regina Aniekan Jack, also commended the initiative, stressing that teachers deserved appreciation for their role in shaping children’s lives beyond annual commemorations.
She expressed appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Government and VCDF for recognising educators and supporting their work.
At Air Force Comprehensive School, Uyo, French teacher Mr Michael Akpan described teaching as a profession that had strengthened his interest in research, continuous learning and professional development.
He said interactions with students during his first five years in the profession had encouraged him to become more inquisitive and improve his teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs.
Students also welcomed the opportunity to publicly acknowledge their teachers’ contributions. A senior secondary school student at Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale, said teachers deserved recognition beyond a single annual celebration.
The initiative reflects the broader role of school-community partnerships in promoting positive relationships between teachers and learners. However, sustained improvements in education also depend on consistent support for educators, access to teaching resources and opportunities for professional development.
VCDF said its education programmes had reached more than 37,863 students and teachers across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Lagos states through LEP, MSI and T3.
The foundation said it would continue collaborating with governments, education authorities, schools and other institutions to widen access to quality education, with support from SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility investments.
