Fresh Starts at Stepping Stones Model School

The new academic year has brought a fresh start, and a fond goodbye, for teachers and pupils in Akwa Ibom

September 2025

Pupils and teachers at Stepping Stones Model School made a good start of term, when they returned after the holidays. Their energy and enjoyment of learning to read and write in English, using Jolly Phonics in class is evident:

But that was not the only new start at the School.

Grace Udua, (below, left) the inspirational local head teacher who helped start the school back in 2006, has now left the school in the capable hands of Mrs Ekong David Ipam, (below, right) who took the role of Head Teacher at the start of term.

Gary Foxcroft, Founder and Chair of Trustees of Safe Child Africa said: “Safe Child Africa remains proud to support the amazing team of teachers at the school and offers our warmest of welcomes to the new headteacher, Mrs Ekong Ikpam, who takes over from the incredible founder and visionary of the school, Grace Udua, after 19 years of exemplary service at the school.

We remain proud, and deeply grateful, for everything that Grace has done for the school over the years.”

Around 40% of the pupils at Stepping Stones receive full scholarships, providing access to education for children who would never otherwise be able to attend. In a place where only a third of the poorest children complete primary school and 27% aged 7 to 14 have basic reading skills, the support Stepping Stones provides is crucial to improving their future chances in life.

Stepping Stones Model School has a special place in our hearts, as the first project we worked upon, along with Grace Udua and Chief Victor Ikot.

As always, we wish all the very best for the pupils, teachers and community at Stepping Stones and look forward to a long and happy future for the school.

Safe Child Africa thanks all our supporters and donors who make this work possible.

Ends

Other References:

Safe Child Africa https://www.safechildafrica.org/steppingstones

UNICEF 2023 Nigeria Factsheet https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/media/9211/file/Nigeria%20Education