Inclusiveness of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs in education will pave way for economic growth and development of the nation.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James Lalu during his visit, accompanied by his Management team on the 11th May 2021, to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Hamid Bobboyi on his giant strides to ensure the realization of inclusive education.
In a statement signed by the Chief press secretary NCPWD, Dooshima Pius-Ikerave and made available to our correspondent on Thursday, it stated that the Executive Secretary with his wealth of experience and knowledge knowing the importance of education and the challenges PwDs (Persons with disabilities) encounter, being one himself understands perfectly how it feels and so he addressed the following matters with deep concern.
Mr James Lalu during his remarks thanked Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary UBEC for granting the Commission audience, he further emphasized on the importance of education for PWDs, placing emphasis on accessibility, qualitative and Inclusive education and also drew the attention of the Es UBEC Dr.Hamid Bobboyi to the need for recruitment of special education teachers as well as constant training and re-training of this teachers to accommodate the needs of Persons with Disabilities ( PWDs)
The ES also stressed that the needs of PWDs are enormous and requires professional and well skilled special education teachers to handle and identity their peculiarities, with emphasis on PWDs with extreme cases and those with Intellectual Disabilities.
He further made a plead to the ES UBEC, for partnership between NCPWD and UBEC on the grounds of accessible, qualitative, Inclusive and timely education.
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Dr Hamid Bobboyi expressed his delight towards the Commission’s visit. While welcoming the team, he started up by apologizing for the in-accessibility of their office complex for PWDs, and affirmed his deep concern.
The ES UBEC also assured the team that, they are not insensitive to the needs of Persons with disabilities and promised to put all modalities in place to ensuring that the Commission provides a conducive, accessible and Inclusive environment for all.
Having said that, Dr Bobboyi went further to recall a personal experience he had with a PWD, and said the child’s education was delayed because no one could decipher the child’s problem. However frowned that, alot of PWDs are suffering from negligence and lack of knowledge from ignorant teachers.
In the aspect of qualitative, Inclusive and accessibility of schools. The ES UBEC admitted to the fact that they haven’t really paid detailed attention hence yearly funds are allocated to schools for renovations but the unique and peculiar needs for PWDs haven’t being considered.
Further addressing some of the concerns raised by NCPWD, the ES UBEC Dr Hamid Bobboyi promised to inculcate all agreed upon in the minds of all, and from now moving forward assured the ES  that the Mandate of the Commission will be given absolute attention, thereby discouraging street and out of school children.
In her closing remarks the Director Special Services Mrs Ene Adiku , thanked the ES for giving audience to the Commission and also thanked the Commission for coming and enlightening them more ,she concluded by saying they are looking forward to an Inclusive educational system which will be made possible with the Efforts of the two bodies.