…….as University Don calls for establishment of more special schools
A University lecturer, Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, has called on government to establish more special schools for the blinds, deaf and dumb students in Nigeria for equal rights.
He made the call during an opening ceremony of Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group for Blind candidates on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.
He said there is need for Governments at various levels to increase the establishment of schools for the disabled so as to take care of more special students across Nigeria.
Prof. Aderinoye who was also a representative of Joint Admission Matriculation Board , JAMB, expressed regret that most of the schools for the blind and other disabilities were privately owned, therefore most of the special students were not being opportuned to further their tertiary education.
He noted this year’s JAMB examinations for special candidates which has commenced in eleven centres across the country namely Oyo, Lagos, Benin, Abuja among others would accomodate 360 candidates while only 28 would write their examination in Ekiti State.
The JAMB Representative noted that free accomodations, transportation, feeding and writing materials had been provided for the special students having their exams in Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti covering the neighbouring states.
He maintained that the arrangements was to ensure that all students living with disabilities were giving opportunity to acquire tertiary education.
In a remak, the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji commended the Joint Admission Matriculation Board for equal opportunity giving to special students saying that such had contributed to promoting diversity, tolerance and acceptability among the physically challenged.
Dr Olayemi noted that inclusive education was fundamental to human right that every child deserved , which is crucial for development of the society.
She appealed to all stakeholders in education sector to continue to promote ideas that would allow all students to thrive and reach their potentials.
The Vice chancellor, Ekiti State University, Professor Edward Olanipekun represented by his deputy academics, Prof. James Ayodele also urged stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to education regardless of their physical or mental ability.
One of the candidates, Precious Sodeinde ,appreciated JAMB for the opportunity giving to them to partake in the examinations.
Relevant top government officials such as the Special Adviser Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Education, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi and the University senior lectures were at the occasion.
