by Chris Agbo
WE RING THE BELL programme was initiated by The Liliane Foundation, Netherlands( an NGO that focuses on the empowerment of children and youngsters with disabilities from 0-25 years, using the CBR approach, for child development and the creation of enabling environment) is aimed at raising the awareness of the government and the general public on the need for inclusive education for children and youngsters with disabilities.
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul Province of Nigeria through The office of Child Empowerment Programme supported by Liliane Foundation on Wednesday 18th March organized 2020 We Ring The Bell at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse Abuja where over 1,500 students rang the bell alongside their teachers. It was a colourful event as the girls rang the bell using their metallic plates and they sang their own composed song to affirm their acceptance of children with disabilities as classmates and playmates.
Sister Fidelia Unigwe Making her opening speech
The coordinator of Daughters of Charity Child Empowerment Programme, Sister Fidelia Unigwe in her opening speech stated that We Ring The Bell is an annual event initiated by the Liliane Foundation to draw the attention of the media, stakeholders and the public towards inclusive education. Speaking further, she said that it is not enough for government to have plot schools in locations where children with disabilities will be in the boarding facilities, they should go beyond that to make schools in rural communities inclusive because it will make it easier for children with disabilities to go to school with their siblings and they will also have advantage of parental care. It will be easy for their caregivers to take them to school because of proximity of the schools.
The Principal of the school, Haijah Rukaiya Husseni said that the inclusive education if it is fully implemented will bridge the gap in education because it will provide opportunity for the style of learning of the children with disabilities to be included in the school’s curriculum.
Dr. Adebayo Adebukola Making presentation
The event also witnessed a presentation by Dr. Adebayo Adebukola where he described inclusive education as an emergency case in Nigeria. He also said that inclusive education simply means good education because whatever children with disabilities can learn in special school, they can also learn in the conventional school, inclusive school is best applied in scare resources, it is more expensive to build special schools and also build other schools. It is cheaper to make disability facilities available in the conventional schools and make them inclusive and have every child to learn in the same place.
The students through a drama presentation showcase the The ten “urgent calls.
The participants of the event were the principal of the school, the teachers and students, Master of the Ceremony Comrade Musa Muazu Musa, Mr Rasak Adekoya(the speaker, Persons with disabilities Parliament), a representative from Sightsavers, Mr. Abel Aisnedion, the representative of the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Ekujereonye Bede Obinna, the president, National Association of Blind, FCT Chapter, Abdulmumuni Ujah(Chairman JONAPWD FCT), Dr. Adebayo Adebukola(Chairman JONAPWD Lagos and the facilitator), Theophilus Odaudu( Program coordinator Disability Rights Funds), media outfit such as Clearview TV, News Agency of Nigeria, NTA, ASO radio and TV, Possibilities TV Show on Catholic TV, AbilityPlusTV on NTA Knowledge, Will and Zeal on AIT and The Qualitative Magazine(a Disability advocacy Magazine), Special Schools such as Daughters of Charity Hope Center in Kubwa, Abuja, School for the blind, Jabi Abuja and a cross section of persons with disabilities.
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The Principal of the school, Haijah Rukaiya Husseni
