…strengthens stakeholder commitment to school well-being

Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI) has expanded its mental health education programme to Kaduna State, equipping teachers with practical tools to manage stress, strengthen classroom delivery and improve student learning outcomes. The intervention, funded by the TY Danjuma Foundation, builds on earlier successes recorded in the FCT and Kwara State.

The Kaduna project was implemented in response to rising concerns about teacher burnout, poor welfare conditions and the impact of these pressures on curriculum delivery across public secondary schools. Fourteen teachers received direct training, with a further 176 benefiting from step-down sessions conducted in their schools, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 190 across 14 schools. This ripple effect formed a key part of the project’s design, ensuring sustainability beyond the directly trained group.

Angela Omeiza, Founder of JDI, said the initiative is a necessary step towards improving the learning environment in public schools. She stated: “We cannot expect stronger learning outcomes if the people driving classroom instruction are overwhelmed, unheard or unsupported. This project gives teachers the space, skills and policy access they need to stay mentally healthy and effective, and we are pleased to see Kaduna stakeholders committing to real, practical change.”

The capacity-building component featured a two-day workshop on modern pedagogy, inclusive learning, classroom discipline, Gen Z learning styles and stress management. Teachers also participated in a dedicated mental health session that included an Unburden Group Therapy exercise led by a psychologist, providing a safe space to discuss personal pressures, workplace struggles and coping strategies.

To strengthen policy uptake, JDI convened a Strategic Policy Meeting for Health and Education Stakeholders in Kaduna, bringing together the Ministry of Education, Teachers’ Service Board, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Quality Assurance Authority and officials from the Ministry of Health. The engagement opened direct dialogue between teachers and policymakers, leading to immediate clarifications around curriculum reforms, teacher transfers and welfare concerns.

The project also featured media and advocacy engagements, including a radio programme that broadened public conversation on the link between teacher well-being and classroom performance. Educational materials and mental health resources were donated to the participating schools to support ongoing psychosocial awareness.

The Kaduna intervention is part of a five-year partnership (2023–2027) between JDI and the TY Danjuma Foundation to promote mental health literacy and boost teaching effectiveness in public secondary schools across five states: FCT, Kwara, Kaduna, Niger and Kogi.

Founded in 2019, Jela’s Development Initiatives works to expand access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, mental health support and voluntary blood donation while creating opportunities for youth empowerment through volunteering.