LASG equips schools for physically challenged pupils

The Lagos State Government says it has equipped all its 31 inclusive schools with learning materials to enhance education for the physically challenged pupils.

Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), made this known at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

A child has need for special education if that child has learning disability that makes it difficult to learn compare to children of his or her age.

Alawiye-King said that the materials were to make the physically challenged children in all the special schools feel a sense of belonging.

He said, “The materials will encourage the pupils to discover their innate abilities, thereby preparing them for a better future.”

The Chairman said that the board’s mandate was to leave no child behind the qualitative education in the state.

He said, “Since our mantra says ‘leaving no child behind,’ we are also doing all we can to ensure our special-need children have access to qualitative basic education.

“We are not discriminatory and prejudicial to people with disabilities, and that is why we keep improving the 31 inclusive units and schools because we want those special-need pupils to see themselves as part of the society.

“We also have about five special need schools for those who must be given special consideration.

“We train our teachers specially for them to teach these category of pupils and we have been able to develop the cooperative teaching manual for our teachers.”

He noted that regular teachers could also teach special pupils and that every other teacher could use the manual to teach special kids.

“Many of our schools are also new-designs and special need-friendly for accessibility, forming part of the agreement with UBEC on infrastructural development,” he said.

Alawiye-King further said there was the mid-day meal for special-need children, fully sponsored by the state government.

He described the basic education for pupils in the state as a social services which required continuous investment if the best must be achieved.

He said that the state had about 1,017 schools with 14,000 teachers; which was a good example of limited resources for which there were competing uses and users.

The chairman added that he had pushed the board to improvise, prioritise and optimise its resources.

He encouraged the corps members to exhibit the spirit of unity, see themselves as one, expand their  scope of integration and unanimously contribute their quota toward the upliftment of the state and Nigeria.

The Lagos Coordinator noted that over the years, the scheme had assiduously cultivated its way through with its corps members and Nigeria community, having taken over issues of  health, education and infrastructure.

“The NYSC over the years has deposited enough that the nation should be proud of and so, this cream of corps members are also set to break all grounds and contribute their quota toward same goal.

“They are young, vibrant, articulate and ready and  from what I have observed, in the few days, they will certainly be the best,” he added.

Megwa expressed confidence that some corps members would strive hard  to distinguish themselves in the course of the programme, which will create an enabling environment for them to excel and  be outstanding at end of the exercise.

He lauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the various boards and authorities for their resilience and  interest in ensuring that the course of NYSC in the state remained successful and enjoyable.

Justice Opeyemi Oke, who was represented by Justice Atinuke Oluyemi, administered the oath of allegiance to the corps members.