NGO trains teachers on special and inclusive education

A non -governmental organisation advocating for educators and families of persons with disabilities, Inclusive Education and Individualized Education Plan Centre (IEIEPC), has called for regular training of teachers, parents, counsellors and other stakeholders on inclusive education.

Its Director, Mr Oyeyinka Oladipupo Oluwawumi, who spoke at a workshop organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education for stakeholders in all six education districts of the state, underscored the importance of training teachers on inclusive education for special kids.

“Disability is not the lack of ability to succeed; it only becomes an inability if necessary tools/aids are not maximised. To this end, there is a need for training and retraining of teachers. We collaborate with other professionals in the field of special and inclusive education for the divine goal of improving the lives of these children,” he said.

The workshop, which held at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba, was devoted to advocacy on inclusion. It provided continuous training for teachers, parents, social workers and others, about unique ways to improve the quality of life, and help children with special needs maximise their learning potential.

Oyeyinka lamented that schools had no standard plan for learners with special needs. “It is quite unfortunate that there is no standard plan by the school, and even most schools in Nigeria; although some consent to be using a timetable. If teachers do not have guide or see good reasons to have a modified curriculum for specially attending to impaired students, how then do we give these children opportunities to also fulfil their dreams and become successful’’

Speaking on the topic “Best practices in special and inclusive education”, a senior lecturer at University of Ibadan’s department of special education, Dr John Oyundoyin said inclusive education should be approached with total adherence to the fundamental tenets of special education, parent involvement, community effort, use of assistive technology, provision of accommodation and the like.

A nutritionist, Mrs. Ijeoma Ugwu, spoke on how to nourish special kids and avoid ingredients that may trigger anti-social behaviour.