Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has reached 3,012 students and 190 teachers across five public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom and Delta States through its education support programmes.
The initiative, organised to commemorate the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, focused on recognising teachers’ contributions, strengthening teacher-student relationships and improving learning opportunities in public schools.
The celebration featured activities across 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 programme highlighted the impact of VCDF’s Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP), Model School Initiative (MSI) and Transforming Teachers for Tomorrow (T3), which are designed to improve educational opportunities and strengthen support for teachers in underserved communities.
Observed annually on October 5, World Teachers’ Day commemorates the 1966 International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The 2026 theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Improving Its Status and Shaping Our Futures,” underscored the need to recognise teachers and strengthen their professional standing.
As part of the celebration, students expressed appreciation to their teachers through the “Tree of Gratitude” and personalised greeting cards, while teachers shared experiences about their professional journeys and motivations for joining the teaching profession.
Other activities included debates, cultural performances, interactive games, appreciation sessions and student-led presentations aimed at promoting stronger relationships between teachers and learners.
Speaking during the celebration, Mrs Ameneke Theresa Nkemjika, Vice Principal, Administration, Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale, said she had spent more than 30 years in the teaching profession and remained fulfilled by the opportunity to impact knowledge and watch her students progress in life.
She appreciated the Delta State Government, Sterling Oil and VCDF for recognising and celebrating teachers.
Similarly, Mrs Otuagoma Beatrice, a teacher at the school, described the recognition as encouraging, saying it demonstrated that students valued the contributions of their teachers.
“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 Akwa Ibom State Government and VCDF for recognising teachers and supporting their contributions to the development of children.
She called for sustained appreciation of educators, noting that their contributions to society should be acknowledged beyond the annual celebration.
A French teacher at Air Force Comprehensive School, Uyo, Mr Michael Akpan, said the teaching profession had strengthened his commitment to continuous learning, research and professional development.
He explained that interactions with students during his first five years in the profession had inspired him to become more inquisitive, studious and research-oriented.
According to him, students’ questions, diverse learning needs and unique perspectives continually challenged him to explore new ideas and improve his teaching methods.
Students also welcomed the initiative, describing teachers as important contributors to their future and calling for their regular recognition.
A senior secondary school student at Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale, said she was excited to celebrate her teachers, adding that educators deserved appreciation beyond special occasions.
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Beyond the World Teachers’ Day activities, VCDF said its education initiatives, including LEP, MSI and T3, had reached more than 37,863 students and teachers across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Lagos States.
The foundation said it would continue collaborating with governments, education authorities, schools and institutions beyond its host communities, leveraging Sterling Oil’s corporate social responsibility investments to expand access to quality education across Nigeria.
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