No quality signal
CVs and interviews reveal little about real classroom performance. Competency is never truly verified.
Cohort 1 · Now accepting applications · Lagos, 2026
Become a Bridge Teacher Fellow.
Six weeks of intensive training designed to prepare teachers for roles in premium schools, free for every Fellow.
6
Weeks
50
Fellows per cohort
3
In-person days
100%
Placement pipeline
The problem
Nigeria's teacher hiring market is broken
Premium private schools can't consistently find educators who are subject-competent, pedagogically confident, and ready for high-expectation classrooms.
“Schools don't need more CVs. They need a system that tells them: this teacher will perform on Day 1.”
Oluwaseun Kayode, Founder, Schoolinka
No pre-qualified pipeline
Hiring is reactive and informal, leading to slow cycles and high replacement risk.
Training disconnected from employment
Existing certifications rarely translate to premium school readiness.
About the fellowship
Training built for placement, not just completion
Every element is calibrated to the real standards of premium private schools, and every graduate enters Schoolinka's active placement pipeline.
Placement-first design
Unlike conventional training, this programme is designed to end in a job offer. Every Fellow graduates into our active school pipeline.
School-calibrated standards
Content and exit standards are set by HODs and senior teachers from premium private schools, not generic education consultants.
Selective by design
Admission is rigorous. Selectivity is the quality signal that makes our Fellows credible to schools from Day 1.
Hybrid and flexible
Online modules during the week, three in-person Fellowship Days on Saturdays, built around working teachers' schedules.
1:1 mentoring
Each Fellow is paired with a mentor currently in a premium school, with fortnightly sessions throughout the programme.
TRCN-aligned
Our curriculum meets TRCN and UNESCO standards, satisfying both national requirements and international school expectations.
The fellowship journey
From application to placement in five stages
Entry
Apply and assess
Subject test, micro-teach, and interview. All three must be passed.
Weeks 1–2
Online foundations
Professional standards, school culture, and classroom management.
Weeks 3–4
Specialisation and Fellowship Days
Subject pedagogy, demo lessons, and peer observation.
Weeks 5–6
Exit preparation
Interview prep, portfolio, and final competency assessment.
Post-programme
Placement
Your profile is matched to partner schools. Schoolinka manages the rest.
Programme tracks
Two specialised pathways
Each cohort of 50 Fellows is split across two tracks, each led by an expert practitioner from a top private school.
Track A
Junior School Generalist
~25–28 Fellows per cohort
- Class teachers for Years 3–8
- Child-centred pedagogy and classroom management
- Formative assessment and lesson planning
- Parent communication and pastoral care
Led by: Former Head of Junior School, premium private school
Track B
Maths, Physics and Chemistry
~22–25 Fellows per cohort
- Secondary level: WAEC, IGCSE, A-Level
- Subject pedagogy: how to teach, not just know
- Exam board familiarity and past paper strategy
- Differentiated instruction in large classes
Led by: HOD from a school running IGCSE or A-Level
The three fellowship days
Where learning becomes visible
Three in-person Saturdays where community is built, teaching is demonstrated, and placement-readiness is formally assessed.
1
Foundations Assessment
End of Week 2
Focus: Professional standards
Group activities and professional scenarios. Early performance is observed and flagged before the programme deepens.
2
Demo Lesson Day
End of Week 4
Focus: Teaching practice
Each Fellow delivers a micro-teach observed by instructors. Competency scores feed directly into your candidate profile.
3
Graduation and Exit
End of Week 6
Focus: Placement ready
Final competency review, candidate profile sign-off, and your placement conversation. Certified graduates enter the pipeline.
Who should apply
The entry standard is rigorous, by design
We assess every applicant across three non-negotiable dimensions. Selectivity is our quality guarantee to schools.
- 1
Subject knowledge
Tested through a written or oral assessment designed by our instructors, not a generic aptitude test.
- 2
Pedagogical communication
Can you explain a concept to a student who doesn't understand? Assessed via a five-minute micro-teach.
- 3
Professional orientation
Assessed through interview and reference check. Premium schools have high expectations from Day 1.
You must be based in Lagos and available on alternate Saturdays.
Ready to apply?
Cohort 1 is forming now
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If you meet the standard, you'll hear from us within 5 working days.
- Based in Lagos
- Qualified teacher or strong subject expert
- Available on alternate Saturdays
- Committed to placement in a premium school
Questions? Email ask@schoolinka.com
For schools
Stop hiring from CVs. Start hiring from a pipeline.
Bridge Teacher Fellows are assessed, trained, and certified to perform from Day 1. You get a candidate profile with competency scores, not just a CV.
Verified competency
Every Fellow passes a rigorous entry and exit assessment. You know exactly what you're getting before the first interview.
Faster, safer hiring
Reduce time-to-hire and cut replacement risk. Our Fellows understand premium school culture before they arrive.
Trial before you commit
Fellows who reach Week 4 can be placed as supply teachers in your school, so you can trial them before making a full hire.
Partner with the Bridge Teacher Fellowship
Get priority access to our placement pipeline and start hiring smarter.
- Placement guarantee
- 60-day replacement on every confirmed hire
- Placement fee
- 10% of annual gross salary, on confirmed hire
- Get in touch
- ask@schoolinka.com
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before you apply.
Yes. The programme is absolutely free for teachers. We cover our costs through our network of partners. You bring the commitment; we cover the rest.
Fellowship Days are held in Lagos on alternate Saturdays. Venue details are confirmed to admitted Fellows before the cohort begins.
We assess all applicants on the same three dimensions: subject knowledge, pedagogical communication, and professional orientation. A formal teaching qualification is an advantage but not a requirement.
Every graduate who passes the exit assessment enters our active placement pipeline. Placement depends on school vacancies and final interview outcomes, but our team supports every Fellow throughout the process.
Fellows who complete 4+ weeks and show classroom readiness can be placed as supply teachers in partner schools, earning a stipend while finishing the programme. This trial-to-hire pathway benefits both Fellows and schools.
Schools register as partners and receive candidate profiles matched to their vacancies. Every match is reviewed internally. A 10% placement fee applies on confirmed hire, with a 60-day replacement guarantee.
Join the fellowship
“We are not just placing teachers. We are building the talent infrastructure Nigeria's best schools deserve.”
Oluwaseun Kayode
Founder, Schoolinka
Cohort 1 is forming now. Apply as a Fellow or register your school.