The Cedar Seed Foundation has called on stakeholders to increase the budgetary allocation for Inclusive Education to 26 percent according to UNESCO standards.
This, the foundation believes will enhance implementation of National policy on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gombe State.
The call was made in a town hall meeting where the subject of inclusive education budget allocation was discussed. The meeting held on Wednesday, 13 July, 2022.
In attendance were representatives of various bodies including the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria (Women Wing), Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Network for Disabled Women, Gombe State Chapter, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) members, Media and Heads of Community Leaders, Heads of schools and special schools in the State. Organized by the Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), the meeting was implemented by State To State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness Activity.
The group argued that although the 26% budgetary provision recommended by UNESCO seems feasible enough to cater for inclusive education, study reveals that no State in Nigeria has surpassed 10% allocation in its budget provision for PWDs.
Mr Ibrahim Dauda Deba
A consultant, Mr Ibrahim Dauda Deba noted that to achieve the recommended allocation for Inclusive Education, policies and laws must be implemented to ensure the needs of PWDs in the society is fully met without compromise. He also urged the State Government to produce inclusive education guidelines for PWDs.
According to him, “people with disabilities are as special as those without disabilities and deserve proper education and a better social environment to thrive. Special teachers also need proper catering. They deserve the best support necessary for them to adequately teach and accommodate PWDs, as well.”
Grant Specialist Mr. Silas explaining extensively on why budget and policy should be implemented.
A USAID DAI State to State Grant Specialist, Mr. Silas Douglas Daniel, while reiterating the resolution of Gombe State to implement the National policy on Inclusive Education, urged the State government to lead the project.
He said: “the implementation can only be achieved where there is proper budgetary allocation of the 26% according to the UNESCO standards.”
“The blind cannot lead the blind. There is need for an assistance, and as such, the CSF Revive Initiative on the national policy for inclusive education needs maximum cooperation of Government and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.”
Mercy Filli, GESI Specialist, S2S Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness Project, Gombe
The representative from Christian Association of Nigeria (Women Wing), Zainab J. Akawu urged school administrators to be creative in their administration.
She said: “All that is needed to facilitate learning and grant access for the Students with disabilities – PTA, the community, philanthropic gestures from members of the community with heart to help should be contacted. It will amaze the school heads to see how many are waiting to assist on inclusive education.”
The groups called on Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board and Ministry of Information, among other stakeholders capable of contributing to the implementation of Inclusive Education in the State to help push the Government to make a budget provision in 2023, specifically for Inclusive education.
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The three tiers of government should as a matter of importance up their games in appropriating budgeting allocation for inclusive education