Festus Fajemilo Foundation (FFF), a disability-focused NGO, based in Lagos, has launched the cooperative teaching manual as an approach to improve inclusive education (IE) in Lagos State.
The Cooperative teaching manual is a product of a four-year project sought to adapt the concept of “Cooperative Teaching” as a means of achieving a more judicious use of the scarce human resources available to deliver IE in Lagos state.
The project was implemented by the consortium of FFF, Lagos State Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, to address the challenges posed by inadequate special teachers and relevant professionals in the implementation of IE in Lagos.
Executive Director, FFF, Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo, while presenting the cooperative teaching manual to the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, mentioned that the four year project is aimed at ensuring that, “there is reasonable improvement in learning outcomes of children with disabilities in the inclusive schools.
“Continuous knowledge and experience sharing among stakeholders which will help to replicate good practices across all inclusive schools and the entire education system in Lagos State.”
He also added that the project will help to ensure “increased enrolment of children with disabilities in inclusive public schools.”
Mr Fajemilo revealed that “mainstream teachers will be trained to support inclusive education activities in 12 inclusive primary and secondary schools across Lagos.”
Responding, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, commended FFF and partners for efforts that have been improving the status of education in the state.
Mrs Adefisayo affirmed that the government is working towards improving the status of inclusive education in the state.
She revealed that, “over the next one year, we really need to work on a proper framework and fund a programme to improve Inclusive Education in Lagos State.”
The Education commissioner also noted that, “teachers need to be engaged on how to treat children with disabilities in schools, they should avoid discrimination and know that children with disabilities should be encouraged to be the best they can.”
Present at the presentation of the manual were; Mrs. Olufunso Owasanoye, Executive Director, Human Development Initiative, HDI; Mrs Rita Boyo, Head of Education Committee, JONAPWD; and other project partners.