Niger State Announces N1Bn Endowment For Children Wth Special Needs
Niger State government has announced an endowment of N1 billion to provide facilities for pupils with special needs across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago made the announcement in Minna during the flag-off of a project for four pilot schools.
Bago also announced the formation of a board under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to carter for children with special needs.
He also said children with special needs will be provided scholarship and mentorship to study at the Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna.
He observed that educating children with special needs is expensive, as such the state basic education board will ensure execution of the project.
The governor also donated N50 million to Farid Foundation, and N25 million each to the four pilot schools selected for the RISE project.
While thanking Co-founder of Farid Centre, Hajiya Aminat Jummai Gimba, for leading the crusade for the care of children with special needs, the governor assured that his administration will continue to focus on inclusive education.
In her remarks, Hajiya Aminat said that the RISE project is a bold transformative initiative aimed at integrating children with special needs into inclusive learning environment in Bosso and Chanchaga Local Government Areas on a pilot basis.
She said that the project will build an educational framework for a holistic, sustainable and inclusive education.
According to her, the foundation was inspired by the vision of the governor of expanding 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 with their peers.
This, she said, will promote social skills, empathy and break down barriers and misconception about people with disabilities, among others.
The Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Ibrahim Baba, disclosed that an accelerated basic education curriculum incorporating education for all is in the process of implementation.
