At the Annual Inclusive Education Conference, organized by the British Council and Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing inclusive education nationwide.
The conference, themed “Bridging the Gap Between Inclusive Education Policy and Practice,” took place today, November 12, 2024, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss progress and strategies.
Chief Gufwan commended the British Council and PLANE for their continued dedication to inclusive education and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with all partners.
He further noted that inclusive education must extend beyond policy, stressing the importance of its widespread adoption in schools across the country.
In his presentation, the Executive Secretary outlined a detailed action plan, advocating for a comprehensive approach to inclusion and emphasizing that it should be a shared responsibility.
Additionally, Gufwan called for sign language to be recognized as an official language in Nigeria to enhance communication within the Deaf community. He highlighted the need for disaggregated data for planning purposes, urging stakeholders to collaborate in collecting accurate information to support the needs of persons with disabilities.
The Minister of Education, Honorable Tunji Alausa, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to ending discrimination in schools.
Hon. Alausa reassured attendees of the government’s support for fully implementing the National Policy on Inclusive Education, formally launching the program and inaugurating the Committee on Inclusive Education.
Esther Bature from Sightsavers also addressed the gathering, sharing insights from inclusive education research conducted in regions like the North West of Nigeria. She emphasized the importance of training teachers in inclusive practices to close gaps in the educational system and announced plans to engage more instructors in the future.