By Stephen Ojo
Niger State government has announced the donation of N1 billion naira as endowment fund for the construction of facilities for pupils with Special needs across all the 25 local government areas of the State.
The state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago made the announcement in Minna on Wednesday during the flag-off of the RISE project for four pilot schools, in collaboration with the State government and other donor partners.
He said, ” educating children with special needs is expensive hence, it needs huge amount to run it. The Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) will ensure the project is executed soonest”.
The Governor also made the donation of N50 million to Farid Foundation, and N25 million to each of the four pilot schools selected for the RISE project.
He ordered the formation of a Board under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for immediate take off, to carter for Children with special needs and also the commencement of scholarship and mentorship in Special Education, in Abdulkadir Kure University Minna.
While thanking the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Co-founder of the Farid Centre, Hajiya Aminat Jummai Gimba, for leading the crusade for the care of Children with special needs, the farmer Governor assured that his administration will continue to focus on inclusive education.
The CEO and Co-founder, Farid Centre, Hajiya Aminat Jummai Gimba said, the RISE project is a bold and transformative initiative that is aimed at integrating children with special needs into inclusive learning environment in Bosso and Chanchaga Local Government Areas as pilot scheme.
She explained that the project is also to build an educational framework to create a holistic and sustainable framework for inclusive education.
She said, “the project is inspired by the vision of farmer Umaru Bago to change and expand access to quality and inclusive education as a direct response to the vision of ensuring that no child is left hopeless”.
The Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed in her remarks, emphasized the importance of integrating children with special needs into inclusive learning environment along their peer groups, saying that, “it will promote social skills, empathy and break down barriers and misconception about people with disabilities among others”.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Ibrahim Baba, disclosed that there is an accelerated basic education curriculum which is in the process of implementation to ensure basic education for all.(www.krestnews.com).