SPECIAL NEED EDUCATION CRITICAL TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT- LALU

The need for every school to have facility for Persons living with Disabilities (PLWD) and to form part of the curriculum has been stressed by academic stakeholders as a veritable mechanism towards encouraging the education of people living with disabilities in Nigeria. It is against this premise, that the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons living with Disability Mr. James David Lalu on the 20th of January, 2022 led his Management Team on a courtesy visit to National Commission for Colleges Education. This visit was aimed at establishing mutual relationship with NCCE in a bid to improve the life of persons living with disability. The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in his address said NCCE remains a critical body to partner with in order for NCPWD’s goals, mission and objective of improving the quality of education for Persons living with Disability (PLWD) to be achieved. He explained that the official schools (Special school) established mainly to cater for the need of persons with disability is becoming outdated hence, the need for all genres of school to accommodate PLWD is fundamental. He stated that “Disability is part of life’s transition; God can change anybody at any time” Mr. Lalu also addressed the need for everybody (not just PLWD) to acquire knowledge of special education as it will facilitate easy understanding in solving the problems People Living with Disability (PLWD) are confronted with in the country. Responding, the Executive Secretary, NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle appreciated National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, (NCPWD) led by the Executive Secretary for the visit and also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up the Commission. He said, “ No matter the structures in place, without quality teachers it is a colossal waste” he added that “it’s on record that we have a Special College of Education that takes care of Special needs even as NCCE has incorporated courses in its conventional institution that also takes care of PLWD” Professor Okwelle, however, encouraged the Executive Secretary NCPWD, to continue with the good job he has started, expressing NCCE’s readiness to partner with NCPWD he said “ Disability is not a disadvantage to life, we are ready to partner with you”. Highlight of the visit was a presentation of proposal containing detail programmes, recommendation and activities of NCPWD.