By Atunwa Damilare.
Festus Fajemilo Foundation, Irede foundation, Children Developmental Centre in collaboration with Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Lagos Chapter with support from Disability Right Fund (DRF) organized a two day capacity building workshop in Lagos State.
The objectives of the workshop are to improve the knowledge and understanding of Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on the concept and philosophy of Inclusive Education; to strengthen capacity of OPDs to effectively monitor implementation of the inclusive education policy and activities in Lagos State; and to raise the awareness of OPDs on the international and local frameworks which support implement of Inclusive Education especially in Lagos State.
The executive director of FFF, Mr. Festus Fajemilo, in his opening remarks encourages all different cluster representatives to identify opportunities for participation in the implementation of Inclusive Education policy and related activities through strategic partnership with Lagos State Government. He also expected designing of advocacy actions plans for the participation of OPDs in the implementation of inclusive education in Lagos State.
The JONAPWD chairman, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Adebayo Adebukola while addressing the OPDs said that inclusive education has been internationally recognized as a means of attaining equity, justice and quality education for all learners, especially those who have been traditionally excluded from mainstream education for reasons of disability, ethnicity, gender, giftedness or other characteristics. He further emphasized that inclusive education is education for all. “It is about removing barriers to learning and involving all learners who otherwise would have been excluded through marginalization and segregation; a process aimed at offering equality education for all while respecting diversity” he explained.
While facilitating the session on Identification of Advocacy Issues and key Objectives, Mrs. Aderonke Kimemenihia, the Lagos Coordinator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) explained some of the advocacy tools that can be used to push for more OPDs participation in the implementation of inclusive education in Lagos State. She further stated that organization of persons with disabilities should gather relevant information as a key to effectively engage and influence decision makers.
