Lagos SUBEB chairman pledges inclusive education content for learners

By Emmanuel Olorunsola

The Chairman, Lagos State Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, has pledged to provide inclusive education content while schools remain closed.

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Alawiye-King made this pledge at the strategy meeting of the board with heads of its 36 special and inclusive schools, to document what should make up e-learning content for special needs’ pupils at home.

“What we are doing today is to show our determination to fulfil our mandate to provide inclusive education.  We are very pleased to know there are individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations willing to help the government achieve quality.  Every child has a right to education,” he said.

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Alawiye-King added that the teachers’ input would form the crux of the review of the Lagos State policy on Inclusive Education.

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“I did not see any contribution from SUBEB to the Lagos State policy on inclusive education.  This document is due for review.  Most of the things we are saying from here will form the basis for the review,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the number of special needs children in the five special schools and 31 inclusive units attached to mainstream schools, the head of Special Education Unit at SUBEB, Mrs Hilda Twins, said there were 2,947 primary level pupils in the schools with 1,326 having intellectual disability. She said 1,164 have hearing impairment; 86 with autism; 152 are physically challenged; 80 have Down syndrome; 113 learning disabilities; 22, cerebral palsy and four battling speech disorders.

Many of the teachers who spoke underscored the need to make content for special needs learners feature more in instructional materials, promote learning through play and at a slow pace suitable for them.

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Explaining the challenges special needs children are facing based on feedback, Mrs Basirat Aderonke Femi of GRA Inclusive School, Ojota, stressed that some of her pupils complained the sign language interpreter that features on the television classes of the state government was too fast.

Mrs Olufunmilola Tunji said the special needs children were best taught using play-away method.  “The strategic plan should focus on how to educate those with intellectual disabilities using play away method,” she said.

Mrs. Olufunke Oshodi from Ibeju-Lekki said e-learning content for special needs learners should be interspersed with videos and instructional materials; while Mr. Afolabi Oyebade said the curriculum should be adapted to the learners’ pace.

“Reduce the workload.  We have to break down the workload of children with intellectual disability.  What others can learn in one term, it may take them one year. The goal is not to cover with speed but for them to learn,” he said.

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Mrs. Anita Asukome said parents played a crucial role in the educational progress of special needs children and needed to be enlightened that their support was crucial; while Mrs Basirat  Fam said distance learning content should be aired when parents would be home to assist their children.

“Some parents, because of the economy, cannot follow the programme. Most fathers leave all care/support of these children to their mothers who also have to hustle to make ends meet. Some will leave the children with grandparents who are not literate. These things need to be addressed,” said Mrs Asukome.