Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Efforts to address the challenges facing children with disabilities in accessing education took centre stage as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening national mechanisms to promote inclusive education. The event brought together stakeholders from diverse fields, including education, human rights, and disability advocacy.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN noted that lack of access to education for children with disabilities has continued to be a developmental issue in this part of the region, attributable to myths and misconceptions about disabilities as well as stigmatisation, discrimination, physical and other barriers despite a good number of policies and laws that provide for right to education of children with disabilities. His words: “According to UNICEF, 95% of children with disabilities are out of school in developing countries, and 90% may never gain access to basic education.This is quite disturbing and challenging. It is, therefore, a wake-up call for all institutional mechanisms saddled with the responsibilities of providing basic education in the country. For us as a Commission established to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of all citizens living in Nigeria, right to education is a human right of every child including children with disabilities and must be delivered on rights-based approach, on equal basis without any form of discrimination which must be accessible and inclusive.
“Notably, education is a thematic area of focus in the Commission, and disability inclusion is mainstreamed in all the Commission’s programmes and activities.
Consequently, the essence of this workshop is to strengthen the National Mechanisms to promote access to education of children with disabilities as provided in the National Policy on Education, the Universal Basic Education Act 2004, Child Rights Act 2003, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition)Act 2018 as well as other international and regional laws that guarantee rights to free, quality and compulsory basic education.
“While recognizing that the right to education empowers citizens to be aware of other rights and claim those rights and education also being the bedrock of any society, we therefore, call on the government to address the various challenges facing access to education of children with disabilities such as lack of specialized teachers, lack of awareness on the right to education of children with disabilities which the parents and the societies do not see any need in educating them, lack of appropriate means of delivery, communication and devices.
“We, therefore, emphasize the need to strengthen these various mechanisms in place to guarantee access to education of children with disabilities while ensuring that no child, irrespective of disability is left behind.EDUCATION
The workshop underscored the importance of aligning national policies with international frameworks, such as the Universal Basic Education Act of 2003 and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, to guarantee basic education for all children, regardless of their abilities.
“The Commission identified several barriers hindering access to education for children with disabilities, including insufficient funding, lack of personalized educational services, inadequate infrastructure, and societal stigmatization. The NHRC called on the government to prioritize addressing these challenges.
“Strengthening medical and educational support systems is critical to ensuring no child is left behind due to their disability,” the Commission added.
According to the Executive Secretary of NHRC, the workshop was made possible through a grant secured by Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama, a former NHRC staff member and Commonwealth Scholar. Nwakama expressed her commitment to leveraging the grant to foster inclusive education across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
“This workshop is a platform to bring stakeholders together to address critical issues surrounding disabilities, education, and children’s rights. The goal is to develop actionable strategies to ensure inclusive learning for every child,” Nwakama stated.
Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okedo, Assistant Director of the Special Needs Education branch at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that education is central to societal progress.
“Access to education empowers individuals, fosters creativity, and promotes critical thinking. As we strive for inclusivity, it is imperative to recognize the inherent potential of every child,” she said.
Mr. Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, a Senior Development Programme Officer at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), advocated for the comprehensive implementation of existing policies
“We must ensure the full execution of the National Policy on Inclusive Education and the Persons with Disabilities Accessibility Regulations. These frameworks are essential for creating an enabling environment where every child can thrive,” Ogunbiyitan stressed.
A Collective Responsibility
As the workshop concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling barriers and fostering an inclusive education system. “Children with disabilities are not asking for special favours but for equal opportunities,” Ogunbiyitan noted, encapsulating the event’s central message.
The NHRC and its partners are optimistic that the outcomes of this workshop will catalyze tangible improvements in educational access and inclusion for children with disabilities across Nigeria.
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