As difficult a decision it may be for ordinary individuals to choose a traditional school or institution of learning among many, it is not to be challenging for individuals with special needs. Special needs persons- people living with various forms of disabilities are encouraged, for a whole variety of evidence-based and “smart” reasons to choose to pass over traditional schools for special needs schools.
A body of research has demonstrated that schools for the special needs are effectively equipped to provide unique educational instructions by uniquely-trained teachers in a uniquely-structured academic environment with unique tools and techniques that uniquely accommodate the unique needs of learners with special needs so that they may get the same level of care that they need.
Special education is uniquely different from the traditional education that holds regular learners. Special education is a provision of education to students with special needs (persons with disabilities)- specially-tailored educational instructions that speak to the unique needs of individual learners with unique exceptionalities.
This uniqueness manta that’s found in the culture of special education is the most distinguishing characteristic of this particular education.
But given the Nigerian experience-an educational system that is understaffed, underfunded and under-equipped, it becomes necessary to offer concise reasons- outside of the established whys and wherefores- for why individuals with special needs should enroll in special schools that are available across the Federation.
1. FOR ACCEPTANCE: Accepting the reality of a newly-acquired disability is perhaps the single-greatest challenge that faces special needs individuals, in particular, persons with adventitious exceptionalities who have recently become disabled as a consequence of an accident, illness or viral infection. These individuals, for long period, often grapple with coming to terms with their conditions, and subsequently, experience tremendous psychological anguish such as depression that ultimately robs them of great opportunities. Special schools provide a chance at acceptance and psychological rehabilitation of these individuals via community and support.
2. FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: The level and quality of our emotions have been proven to be determinants of our level of productivity, well-being, as well as our quality of life. People with disabilities are characterized by emotional issues such as depression that significantly affect their capacity to learn, to develop healthy habits and skills, as well as form healthy relationships. Special needs education schools in Nigeria, despite their lack of resources, are “culturally adapted” to provide opportunities for acceptance and community.
3. FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-EQUIPMENT: Another area of limitation for an individual with special needs is a lack of relevant skills that have become highly necessary abilities for personal survival in today’s era. Alongside possessing a sense of acceptance and community among a multitude of others with similar conditions, we see in learners with special needs, significant improvement in self- esteem, self-worth, self-efficacy, as well as sensible internal and external locus of control.
4. FOR SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Placement in the right environment is critical to the survival of all organisms. Naturally adapted for survival in water, a fish becomes shrunk and withered in an environment other than fresh water, so is a person with autism or hearing impairment for example, among a sea of regular learners with no special needs. With a sense of belonging and community among a number of others with similar conditions, an individual with special needs develops the capacity for acquisition of skills and attitudes that are within the acceptable social parameters.
5. FOR SELF-ACTUALIZATION: Special schools provide the opportunities for realizing yourself as an individual with a disability. Special teaching tools are not required for self-discovery- for understanding your uniqueness and roles. What it requires is that acquired sense of ecological balance and belonging, of community and physical and psychological clarity. You won’t get it anywhere else.
6. FOR UNDERSTANDING HOW THE WORLD WORKS BETTER: Schools aren’t just there for accumulating theoretical knowledge that won’t be applicable in the long run. At special schools, alongside special needs others, you gain a much deeper and more realistic understanding of the world around you.
President John F. Kennedy has said, “Not every child has an equal talent or equal ability or equal motivation, but they should have equal right to develop their talent and their ability and their motivation.” People with special needs are deserving of not only an education that’s right and unique for them, but also need attitudes and cultures that are extremely critical for survival in an increasingly complex world- skills such as self-awareness, self-assertiveness, self-love and self-care, critical thinking and mental toughness that are only facilitated by a sense of community and belonging that only special schools intrinsically provide- tools or no tools.
If you are currently at a traditional or special school, we’d like you to tell us a little bit about the experiences so far- pre-enrolment and after. And if there’s any relevant information that you can share with us regarding admission in special school and/or traditional school for folks with disabilities, we are excited to see your contribution. Thank you.