NGO demands UBE intervention fund for children with disabilities

An Abuja-based non-governmental organisation, Human Development Initiatives (HDI), has demanded an increase in the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds dedicated to the education of children with disabilities. Speaking on behalf of other CSOs at a summit organised by HDI, JONAPWD and CITAD in Abuja, the Executive Director, HDI, Olufunso Owasanoye, said, “The 2014 National Policy […]

An Abuja-based non-governmental organisation, Human Development Initiatives (HDI), has demanded an increase in the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds dedicated to the education of children with disabilities.

Speaking on behalf of other CSOs at a summit organised by HDI, JONAPWD and CITAD in Abuja, the Executive Director, HDI, Olufunso Owasanoye, said, “The 2014 National Policy on Education states that ‘the education of children with special needs shall be free at all levels’ and that the Federal Government is saddled with this responsibility, which includes conducting regular censuses and monitoring people with special needs, as well as special education equipment and training.

“Currently, only about two per cent of the UBE intervention fund is available to states for projects aimed at supporting children with disabilities.

“The evaluation of UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools programme regarding this shows that most schools lack appropriate resources, infrastructure and qualified teachers to meet the needs of these children,” Owasanoye stated.

She said the objective of the summit was to, among other things, “demand for increase in UBE funds dedicated to education of children with special needs from two per cent to three per cent.”