The Federal Government has been urged to prioritize inclusive education in national policies to ensure equitable access for marginalized communities, particularly Persons With Albinism, (PWAs).
The call was made at a one-day strategic conference on inclusive education, convened by the Albinism Association of Nigeria, AAN, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
The conference, held at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, and advocacy groups, to address critical issues related to inclusive education for PWAs in Nigeria.
According to the communique issued at the end of the conference, participants observed that PWAs face significant challenges in accessing quality education due to systemic barriers, including inadequate infrastructure, limited assistive technology, insufficient teacher training, and discriminatory attitudes.
To address these challenges, the conference resolved that the Federal Government should review and refine the draft policy on inclusive education, aligning it with the goals of the upcoming Global Disability Summit in April 2025.
The conference also advocated for increased budgetary allocation to inclusive education initiatives at the federal, state, and local government levels, as well as the provision of assistive technology, extra time during examinations, and readers or scribes during assessments for PWAs.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Bamishe had outlined the objectives of the conference, including fostering collaboration, identifying challenges and sharing solutions, policy development and advocacy, grassroots engagement, and action planning.
She expressed gratitude to key partners, including the Ministry of Education, JONAPWD, NCPWD, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, and other stakeholders, for their support and dedication to driving the shared vision of inclusivity and empowerment.
Bamishe encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, share ideas, and work together to transform the education system into one that is truly inclusive and equitable.
The conference concluded with renewed commitments from all stakeholders to prioritize inclusive education for PWAs and marginalized groups in Nigeria.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Mrs. Bisi Bamishe, Executive Director of the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), emphasized the need for urgent action to address the educational needs of PWAs.
“We are calling on the government to prioritize inclusive education in national policies, to ensure that PWAs have equal access to quality education,” Bamishe said.
The conference concluded with renewed commitments from all stakeholders to prioritize inclusive education for PWAs and marginalized groups in Nigeria.