By Diana Omueza
The Bëtá Nigeria Campaign (BN), a growing movement campaigning for improved education is seeking upscale of investment in the Nigeria educational system and inclusive learning for the benefits of Persons with Disabilities.
Mr Abdulsalam Badamasi, the Federal Lead, Bëtá Nigeria, said this on Thursday in Abuja while addressig journalists at a roundtable discussion on education.
Badamasi said that there was need for stakehholders across spheres to amplify the demand for education reform in the country.
Accordig to him, educational reform is a critical investment in Nigeria’s future stability and prosperity.
“We are here today in the phase of the numerous challenges bedeviling the educational system in the country to amplify the need for a reform of the Nigerian educational system.
“Stakeholders have highlighted areas of concerns in the educational system that needs to be reformed, like inclusion for persons with disabilities, mental health awareness and others.
“We need to revitalise the Nigerian education system to ensure that our children go to school, remain in school and receive quality education, ” he said.
Badamasi said that the dynamic and youthful population in the country were filled with potentials that should be harnessed for nation building and sustainable development.
He urged stakeholders to commit to an impactful education system by supporting the government in ensuring that out of school children got sponsored to return and remain in school.
According to him, it will take our collective efforts to reform the educational system and when all of Nigeria’s children are going to school, staying in school and learning more, we will build a more resilient, more secure, more prosperous country.
He urged the media to contribute their quota by mainstreaming the need for a reform in their reportage.
Mrs Maryam Uwais, a former Special Advisor to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investments, said that educational reforms was a collective effort and all stakeholders must get on board for successful result.
Uwais also said that in line with the 2024 International Women’s Day campaign theme “Inspire Inclusion “, the welfare and safety of the girl child must be prioritised.
“As we call for the reform of the education system, there is a need to include creating safe spaces for our girl child while they are trying to gain education.
“A lot is happening and it calls for concern of the government and stakeholders to ensure that children are protected in schools and the education institutes are inclusive for all irrespective of disability status,” she said.
On her part, Lois Auta, Executive Director of the Cedarseed Foundation commended Bëtá Nigeria’s call for a reform of the education system to include PWDs and urged stakeholders to mainstream its relevance to garner the necessary support.
Other stakeholders at the events collectively called for the introduction of sign language interpretation into the Nigeria education curriculum.
This, they said, would enhance Inclusion for the deaf learners, as well as enhancement of access to school structures for the benefits of persons with physical disabilities and mental awareness for persons with mental disability.(NAN)
