The Lagos State Ministry of Education, MoE, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, LASODA and Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM have agreed that it is high time Lagos State adopted inclusive education with the aim of making public education accessible for all in the state.
The support for inclusive education was declared by the respective Ministry and Agencies during separate advocacy visits paid by Project team members of ‘Strengthening Inclusive Education through Cooperative Teaching in Lagos State’. The project is being executed by Festus Fajemilo Foundation, Lagos State Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD and Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul.
During the advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, she noted that the Lagos State has made laudable efforts in the attainment of inclusive education practices in the state, however more needed to be done in the implementation of the inclusive education policy.
The Commissioner commended the group for their efforts and promised her commitment towards achieving inclusive education in the state.
At LASODA, the team was received by the Acting Manager, Mr. Adegboyega Alejo who said he was impressed with the passion and zeal the team is exhibiting towards achieving inclusive education in the state.
Mr. Alejo noted that the government cannot do it alone and the partnership is essential to drive the success of the project for the benefit of all. He added that, “it is quite encouraging to see what you are doing, it is to complement the efforts of the government because the government can’t do it alone and it gives us confidence that we have viable partners who can do what is necessary.”
Receiving the delegation at TESCOM, an official said effort is ongoing to seal the partnership with the team as the project is considered as that which is in the interest of all and an effort to collaborate with the state government.
One reoccurring point of discussion during the advocacy visits was the need for the project team members to find a rallying point with other organizations working on inclusive education and harmonize efforts with the purpose of sharing knowledge and striving towards the same goal.
Speaking about the project at the various visits, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Chairman, Lagos JONAPWD said the project is a one year project designed to promote inclusive education in the state by drawing out plans to achieve inclusion in the schools.
Adebayo disclosed that the project will witness the training of teachers on inclusive education, “we want to train teachers in 12 inclusive schools across the state to address the challenges we have identified. We have selected 1 primary and 1 secondary school in each of the 6 education districts across the state.
“We are also developing a cooperative teaching manual which will afford special teachers and regular teachers to work together according to global best practices. After this, teachers will be trained on how to use the manual.”
He also spoke on the need to address the supply gap for special teachers as none of the higher institutions in Lagos State offer courses on Special Education.
On his part, Project team lead and founder FFF, Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo said the project is in the interest of all and it would make education accessible for children with disabilities.
Mr. Fajemilo added that the purpose of the advocacy visits was to identify key stakeholders for partnership which according to him would help in driving the sustainability of the project. He noted that one representative of the respective MDA would be included in the team, so that they are part of the project and fully involved in driving the process.