Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has presented findings of an assessment study on the implementation of Inclusive Education Policy among stakeholders in Abia State.
The executive director of CCD, David Anyaele disclosed this in a report titled: “Asessment of the Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy among stakeholders in Abia State”.
Mr. Anyaele said the assessment took place between November and December 2020 and was conducted in 6 LGAs across the 3 senatorial districts of Abia State. It covered 5 major clusters of Persons with Disabilities: Persons with Physical Disabilities (leg and mobility), Persons with Visual Disability, Deaf persons, Members of Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) and Persons with Albinism.
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According to him, the findings listed the challenges in Abia State to include; Inadequate and poorly equipped resource rooms for PWDs learners, insufficient specially trained teachers, poor teachers welfare, poor level of understanding of stakeholders regarding inclusive education, no state inclusive education policy guidelines in schools, and flawed perception of what it takes to facilitate Inclusive Education. Others are lack of interest in disability affairs among citizens and State policy actors.
Proffering solutions to these challenges, Anyaele urged swift passage of a State Disability Rights bill. He also called for inauguration of a standing committee to champion inclusive education rights for learners with disabilities.
Other solutions include: “Allocation of budgets to ministries, agencies and departments to provide accessible and affordable inclusive education, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) should have access to FG grants on special education, involvement of specially trained teachers in reviewing and modifying primary and secondary schools curricula to accommodate learners with disabilities, Civil society Organizations should roll out aggressive awareness campaign using multi-media and multi-sectorial approaches.
He also tasked media houses in Abia State to track budgets allocated for implementation of Inclusive education policy, and support awareness creation and public sensitization through information, education and communication of programs on Inclusive Education across the State, amongst others.