In a bid to ensure full-scale implementation and domestication of the National Policy on Inclusive Education in public schools and other core educational institutions in Gombe State, Cedar Seed Foundation has embarked on a comprehensive ten-month advocacy to mobilize education stakeholders in Gombe State.
The development was made known to the general public penultimate Saturday by the Executive Director, Lois Auta-Udonkanta during a Town Hall Meeting to discuss modalities for implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education in the State.
Speaking at the commencement of the meeting, Auta pointed out that the objective of the town hall meeting is to bring together all the critical stakeholders of education including persons with disabilities (PWDs), government officials, community based organizations CBOs, MDAs, parents/caregivers of children with disabilities and other development partners to see who can do what and how, for improvement of Inclusive education in the State – and by extension, the entire nation.
Auta also used the occasion to highlight daunting challenges militating against successful implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education in the country.
According to her, these challenges stem from lack of commitment on the side of critical stakeholders including the government. Stakeholders have failed to create the kind of enabling environment, resources and man power needed to educate children with disabilities. She stressed that inclusion demands that everyone, irrespective of social status must be treated equally, education wise.
Earlier in a brief speech, the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Hon Julius Ishaya who was represented by Mallam Abubakar Bello Sidi, Director, Finance and Administration, of the ministry, appreciated Lois for her efforts toward an inclusive society, particularly the inclusion of PWDs in Gombe State.
He pointed out that the State Ministry of Information is always alive to inclusion, more so with the open-door policy of the Honorable Commissioner. He also encouraged Cedar Seed Foundation to remain ever resolute and resilient in the struggle for inclusive education.
Principal, Special Education Centre, Gombe State, Mal. Saidu Jiji Gadam also spoke at the occasion. He narrated to participants how he has lived all his life as a civil servant devoted to serving school children and persons with disabilities.
He noted that inclusive education isn’t all about accessibility and participatory school environment. It is also about a curriculum deliberately designed to accommodate the education of children with disabilities beyond the class room – right to the work place.
According to him the need to work in concert with parents of children with disabilities is indispensable – noting that the need for integration, mainstreaming and inclusion of school children with disabilities is long overdue.
The school administrator expressed dissatisfaction that despite gargantuan efforts of the government and other stakeholders, the desired impact of inclusive education is yet to be felt.
On her part, representative of SUBEB, Asmau Baddi Galadima, revealed that SUBEB, as a critical stakeholder in the drive for implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive education has made several huge contributions to facilitate implementation of inclusive education for all.
She recalled that SUBEB had consistently provided a platform for effective recruitment and deployment of special teachers, training and retraining of teachers to develop their capabilities and equip them with up-to-date teaching skills. SUBEB has also made provision for instructional materials to special education schools in Gombe State.
At the concluding session of the meeting, Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Gombe State Chapter, Alh Umaru Ali Goro Mona expressed immense gratitude to Cedar Seed Foundation and the entire participants present at the meeting for their passion to stand for, and work with PWDs.
Mona celebrated Lois Auta as first female from the North to run a course for PWDs.
The JONAPWD chairperson also appreciated SUBEB for the supports so far. He recommended more teachers/tutors and amenities in special schools. Meanwhile he expressed hopes that Cedar Seed Foundation will get the necessary support to help in implementation of inclusive education policy for progress among PWDs.
There were meaningful take-aways from the meeting – some of which includes the need for resilience, collaboration, co–operation and support from all stakeholders.
It was reaffirmed that inclusion goes beyond education for children with disabilities. Hence the imperative to extend it to all vulnerable groups in society. Such a policy is indispensable for achieving the objective of inclusive education for all.