Group canvasses inclusive education for physically-challenged kids

Cross section of the physically challenged children
| credits: famousnigerians.com

A non-governmental organisation, Caring Parents, has urged government at all levels to integrate children with disabilities into all primary and secondary schools across the nation.

This, the founder of the group, Mrs. Dayo Jalekun, said would enhance the educational empowerment of special children.

She said this during the Christmas and end of year party organised for pupils of the Olisa Inclusive Primary and Secondary School on Thursday in Lagos.

She noted that giving education to children with disabilities was necessary to bridge the gap between them and other children in the country.

She said, “It’s a pity that we now separate children with disabilities from others. This can be seen in our reactions to them and even the kind of education they receive. We don’t necessarily need to build a special and isolated school for them. Government should make it compulsory for every primary and secondary schools to have an inclusive section for children with disabilities.

“This will make the children feel loved by others. They will get to see their mates everyday and that alone serves as a source of knowledge for them. This will contribute to a way of helping the children academically.”

Also, an educationist, Mr. Oyebade Owolabi, emphasised that children with disabilities should be educated to increase the level of literacy in the country.

He said, “It is important to educate children with special needs in order not to make them useless in the society. We must realise that there is ability in disability. These children can learn just like others.

“All we need to do is to develop a special curriculum for them that would include vocational training and other empowerment programmes. Also, we should realise that where the doctors stop their efforts in transforming a child, educationists’ duty begins. So, we must develop our educational system to accommodate them.’’

January 4, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke

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Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE

Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner