The development of a cooperative teaching approach has been identified as a tool which would harness the scarce resources in schools with the aim of promoting inclusive education.
The cooperative teaching approach would also equip regular and special teachers on how to create reasonable improvement in learning outcomes of children with disabilities in inclusive schools.
The cooperative teaching manual is one of the expected outcomes of an inclusive education project themed, “Strengthening Inclusive Education through Cooperative Teaching”. The project is being implemented by Festus Fajemilo Foundation, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul and Lagos State Chapter of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD.
At the inaugural planning meeting for project partners which include representatives from Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board and Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, participants present lauded the initiative which they described as a great platform that would enhance inclusive education in the state.
While speaking about the project, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Chairman JONAPWD Lagos said the overall goal of the project is to ensure children with disabilities can learn in the same classrooms with children without disabilities.
Adebayo said it is hoped that the manual would be adopted by teacher training institutions as a training guide.
Dr. Mrs. Bukola Adeleye from TESCOM commended the project team members and said though it might look tasking, but the impacts would be great. She urged all project partners to have a positive mindset to ensure the success is attained.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Ranti Yekini, Project Officer, Festus Fajemilo Foundation, admonished all the represented parastatal of government to consider the project as an opportunity to impart lives adding that they should contribute their quota to achieve success.
Yekini noted that FFF would adequately communicate the specific roles and responsibilities expected from each department and agency, stressing that it is a collective responsibility of all.
Rev. Sr. Toyin, Amoko, Rita Boyo and Ranti Yekini give a brief information about the implementing partners; DC, JONAPWD and FFF respectively. (BONEWS)
