Festus Fajemilo Foundation (FFF) has trained teachers drawn from across Education Districts 1 to 3 in Lagos State on Cooperative Teaching, with the aim of enhancing teachers’ skills to effectively meet educational needs of all categories of learners with disabilities in public schools.
The training is an activity under the United for Inclusive Education project implemented by the coalition of The Irede Foundation, FFF and Human Development Initiative with funding from Disability Rights Fund.
The trained teachers comprise of regular teachers, special teachers and heads of inclusive schools across the 3 Education districts.
Speaking at the opening session of the training, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo noted that continuous training is important to equip the teachers on how to engage with children with disabilities in their respective schools.
Mrs. Adefisayo who was represented by Mrs O.A. Somoye tasked the teachers to be opened to training as much as possible.
She also revealed that, “the allowance for special education is currently being worked on by the Ministry but we need to get approval from the State Assembly. It is your entitlement and nobody would deny you of what is rightfully yours.”
On his part, the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Education Board, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King represented by Mr. S.I. Jibefun, appreciated FFF for the continuous support to improve inclusive education in the state.
He mentioned that the Board is opened to more partnership and collaborations with FFF to improve inclusive education in Lagos.
Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo, Executive Director, FFF while giving his opening remark, explained that the cooperative teaching manual was developed “to fill the gap of shortage of personnel in all special and inclusive schools in Lagos state.
Mr. Fajemilo also explained that the manual is expected to “fill the existing gaps in teachers’ knowledge of the learning environment for rights/needs-based education for learner with disabilities; and introduce Co-operative method of teaching to teachers by improving on their pedagogical skills.”
The training sessions, which ran for two days, were facilitated by Dr. Philip Adeleke, of the Department of Special Education, University of Calabar and Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities.