Showers Christian Schools begin with British, American, Nigerian curricula

After operating the British Cambridge Advanced Level curriculum for decades, with outstanding records, the Showers Christian High School Group, Port Harcourt, has introduced a crèche, nursery and primary section in its sprawling premises in Woji and Ngwo–Etche, Rivers State.

The lower school system operates with a novel British, American and Nigerian primary level system, with a flexible boarding system for the pupils, an equally novel idea in Nigerian primary school system.

Kate Ameh, the head teacher told Business School that the aim of the new idea, which operates both American and British systems, is to prepare the children to be able to measure up internationally; especially the British checkpoint examination taken by basic 5 and 6 pupils.

Ameh informed that the flexible boarding system is to particularly reduce latecoming by the pupils; as well as make them bond well with their parents (during the weekends) and school management (during weekdays).

Under the system, the children go home each Friday to their parents, and are brought back into the beautifully furnished school hostels Sunday evening ahead of Monday week classes.

Ameh, who holds a Barchelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry from University of Uyo and post graduate degree (Education) from NTI Kaduna, informed that, another addition in the new primary school section, is the use of one-subject–teacher system, where a teacher teaches only the subject he/she is versed in; rather than the general norm of one teacher taking all the subjects for his/her nursery/ primary class.

She said the pupils are also introduced early into ‘effective library’ system, where they are taught to develop a reading culture – “The aim is to reduce examination malpractice, because by the time the children reach the secondary and high school levels, they have already become confident of themselves,” Ameh added.

Meanwhile, the pupils are also taught handwriting skills, to enable them know how to write legibly, as they mature.

Ekama Akpan, the managing director of Showers Christian High School Group, known for her many years of pioneering coaching and mentoring programmes for young people for journey into universities in the UK, USA, Canada and other countries, said, they began the primary section in order to begin instilling Christian discipline and good morals early on the children before they get into the high school.

Akpan, who is also the current chairperson of the Rivers and Bayelsa states chapter of Manufacturers Association of Nigerian (MAN), said they have begun a “seamless journey to a better education, from crèche to A’ levels.

BEN EGUZOZIE