How a viral music video boosted morale at a time of turmoil
Event Overview:
- Prize Category: Overcoming Adversity
- Format: Panel discussion
- Country: Nigeria
- Languages: Streamed live in English with automated captions in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Filipino, Malay, Serbian and Hindi.
- Learn more about the Top Ten Shortlisted Schools in the Overcoming Adversity category on the World’s Best School Prizes website.
Watch on-demand
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About the school
Best Intellectuals Model School, a school in Ohanku, Aba Abia State, Nigeria made a music video to boost student morale during a period of turmoil that rocked Nigerian society and it went viral in the process.
In 2021, the school faced many crises. In 2021, the school faced many crises. Not only did it have to contend with the COVID pandemic, but a wave of school drop-outs owing to the financial strain brought by the pandemic on so many families. With the country also experiencing a high unemployment rate and a marked increase in crime, the conditions Best Intellectuals Model School faced forced it to reevaluate how it would continue to open its doors and keep up the morale of demoralised students and the wider community. It decided to use the healing power of music.
The people in the local community were known to love music and were even more receptive when children were involved. The school hoped that a music video using its younger students would reach the hearts and minds of the people within the community and address some of society’s ills. But it faced numerous challenges along the way.
First the students’ safety was a priority. The school staff provided children with face masks and made sure they observed social distancing. They didn’t have a school bus to get to the nearest studio, so they had to traverse the dirt roads, eventually getting to the studio with soiled clothes. They would have to clean off before recording and shooting the footage for the video. They didn’t have instruments, so they used music from online. In the end, the hard work paid off and the video was considered a viral hit amongst the community.
Join us for a session showcasing the power of music.
Speakers
Moderator: Splendour Ikechukwu
Splendour is a volunteer Tech Teacher in our school. He is the founder of communities will connect and also a change maker.
Speaker 1: Happiness Kalu
Happiness Kalu is the Head Teacher of Best Intellectuals Model School. She has a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration . She is the founder of Intellectual Fun Stars, Intellectual Comedians as well as Assist Her Initiative. She is the Head Teacher award winner 2020 of School Enterprise Challenge.
Speaker 2: Wisdom Tochi
Wisdom is a graduate of Computer Science. He is one of the science teachers in Best Intellectuals Model School. He is the founder and CEO of My Scholarship Info as well as Code4all initiative.
Speaker 3: Sunday Ezeukwu
Sunday Ezeukwu is an Art teacher in Best Intellectuals Model School. He is a devoted staff. He studied Secretarial Studies.