Special needs schools in sorry state
The dilapidated and the sorry state of some special needs schools and disability centres in the country despite huge budgetary allocations calls for urgent government attention,Hundreds of thousands of physically challenged persons and special needs children in Nigeria are presently not getting quality learning and support – if at all – due to the poor state of the government-established disability centres and schools, according to investigations by our reporter.
The government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission, explained that the special education fund is meant to support special programmes for mentally and physically challenged pupils in public schools and other private providers of basic education.The commission allocates two per cent of its yearly allocation as grants to special needs education.According to the UBEC, these funds were allocated to states on equality basis.
The figures further showed that Edo received N184, 045, 732.21 of the N299, 110, 536.30 allocated to the state between 2005 – 2018 with a balance of N115, 064, 808.09 un-accessed funds while between 2005 – 2018, Anambra state received N262, 389, 621.92 leaving a balance of N36, 720, 914. 38 as un-accessed funds with the commission.But despite receiving these financial supports, the structures of these schools remain in poor condition.
It was gathered that no renovation has been carried out in the school since it was established in 1977. “The hostel is not up to standard even the borehole in the school has stopped functioning. There is a need to renovate the school,” an official of the school who pleaded anonymity told our reporter.
“The students are really suffering without this equipment. The online teaching they are doing is not for the visually impaired because they cannot be taught online. “For example, in the computer or laptop that we are asking the state government or well-meaning individuals to donate to us, there is something they put inside it; they call it special talks which will aid their learning.In Anambra State, the Special School for Deaf and Dumb, St. Andrew Anglican Church located in Odoakpu, Onitsha, is in need of furniture, a functioning clinic and more toilets.The school, it was observed, is begging for renovation as the ceilings are falling off.
Henry Omokhaye, Project Manager for the British Council and the European Union focus on Rule of law and Anti-corruption programme in Nigeria, said: “State governments should consider that those with disabilities should be well represented and also part of the social and political administration. Banire stated that the sector, for far too long, had been abandoned, with pupils being at the receiving end of such neglect.
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