Tobi Aworinde
A non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has said there is the need for more inclusive education for children living with disabilities in Nigeria.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ms Ene Obi, who spoke at an event in commemoration of the World Disability Day in Lagos State on Thursday, urged federal and state governments to recommit to honouring the United Nations commitments and mobilise all available resources to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Obi said, “Our research on inclusive education shows that many children with disabilities are out of school because of the non-enrolment of some of them in school while those who enrol are less likely to complete their education, compared to their peers.
“This is associated with overcrowded classrooms; lack of facilities to support their learning, as teachers are unable to give them the support they need; and an inaccessible learning environment. Despite progress made in ratifying the policy on inclusive education in Nigeria, current education resources are insufficient to achieve inclusive education.
The Chairperson, Education Committee, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mrs Rita Boyo, also underscored the need for enlightenment of parents and community leaders.
She said, “We need more jingles. We need more awareness programmes on social media because people say disability is a curse. Some people don’t know any better. Even my father didn’t know I was attending a school for the blind until someone told him. But now we are in the digital age, we need more jingles and sensitisation of parents and communities.
The Executive Director, Human Development Initiatives, Mrs Olufunso Owasanoye, awarded scholarships to seven children with disabilities enrolled at the Ajasa Odualabe Community Junior High School, Agege in Lagos.
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