FCT Minister of State seeks implementation of National Policy on Education

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has assured people with disabilities of the government’s willingness to support the inclusion and rehabilitation of all children living with disabilities while challenging all other states of the federation to implement the 2004 National Policy on Education.

Dr Ramatu gave the assurances at the premiere of a movie “Not a Burden” and the presentation of a Docudrama “Yes We Can”, by the students of the Royal School of Educational Therapy, produced and directed by one of Nollywood’s award-winning producers Lancelot Imasuen.

She said “The implementation of Nigeria National Policy on Education drafted in 2004 which captures the provision of special and formal education for children with disabilities, children with impairments, disadvantaged children and gifted children is very significant.

“This is because the national policy will address other sundry issues of free education for children with special needs, inclusive education of children with special needs in public and private schools, regular censor and monitoring of children with special needs to ensure adequate educational provisions and welfare formula. We all must push for the implementation of this policy”.

Represented by Dr Jumaai Ahmadu, Dr Ramatu told the array of dignitaries at the event that the state also required the collaboration of all citizens to ensure that children with disabilities are given a chance at living optimally.

“With the estimate of 1.3 million children who are critically disabled out of an estimated 25 million people with disability in Nigeria, we must join hands to provide training for interested stakeholders in special needs education including teachers, parents, caregivers, law enforcement agents and healthcare providers”. The Minister said.

To declare open the docudrama, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said not domesticating the Child Rights Act, many states in Nigeria have continued to put the wellbeing of children with special needs, in peril.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa said, “Nigeria has many instruments that protect the rights and wellbeing of children so implementing the act would assist children with disabilities in the states.”

Earlier, Adejugbe-Williams, called for the implementation of inclusive education policy in the country to cater for children with special needs.

She explained that the purpose of the event was to amplify the voices of children with disabilities, noting that most times, these children are marginalised and discriminated against.

Adejugbe-Williams added that the event was meant to prove that children with disabilities could learn and to show the whole world that disability does have abilities.

“The reason for this event is to give children with disabilities a chance. Expose them to society. Let them learn. Let them be in school. Let them work because they can actually add to the socio-economic values of the country. They can be taxpayers. Just give them the opportunity and equip them.” She added.

Zainab Sa’id