The Lagos State government has advised parents who have children with disabilities not to keep them at home but to register them in school for knowledge and skills acquisition.
The executive chairman of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Mr Wahab Alawiye-King; General Manager of Lagos State office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mr Oluwadamilare Ogundairo and the education secretary, Mushin Local Government Education Authority, Princess Olufemi Akinlude made the appeal last week at an event organised for pupils of Ojuwoye Community Primary and Olisa Primary schools, both inclusive units under Mushin Local Government Area of the state.
Inclusive schools are just like other regular schools but different in pupils’ composition as they have both students with disabilities and those without disabilities together as a way of promoting equal rights and non-discrimination against any child in the society. Lagos State runs 31 of such schools spread across the state at primary and 12 at secondary levels.
Speaking separately at the event which had wife of a former federal legislator, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Mrs Ronke Solomon, as the mother of the day, the trio said bringing children with disabilities to school to learn particularly in the midst of their peers with no deformity, would make them happy, and feel a sense of belonging to the society and fulfillment in life.
They said regardless of deformity, every child had equal rights to education and the parents who have children with disabilities should therefore release them for learning to become responsible citizens.
While Alawiye-King, who was represented at the event by Mr Sunday Ajibefun, said SUBEB was always ready to support children with special needs while LASODA boss and Mrs Akinlude tasked corporate organisations and individuals to support the cause of children with special needs by donating items that would enhance their education.
The students, among whom are visually impaired, hearing impaired and down syndrome among others were excited by the event. Highlight of the event was exhibition of handmade items produced by them, such as, sandals, bags, trays, key holders, Adire fabric, belts, wall frames, and neck beads. The also demonstrated some of theor talent which include choreography, cultural dance and fashion parade at the event.
The head teacher of Ojuwoye Community Inclusive Primary School, Mrs Morufat Omotunde told newsmen that teaching pupils with special needs and getting desirable results particularly on academics could only be achieved by teachers who are passionate, committed and ready to sacrifice.