Why gov’t funds teacher, special education

Special needs children are said to represent a small percentage of the public school population basically as a result of shortage of special educators and facilities. UNESCO estimates that between 93 million and 150 million children live with disabilities worldwide and that 90% of these children in the developing world are out of school. Even […]

Special needs children are said to represent a small percentage of the public school population basically as a result of shortage of special educators and facilities.

UNESCO estimates that between 93 million and 150 million children live with disabilities worldwide and that 90% of these children in the developing world are out of school. Even when children with disabilities are enrolled in school, they tend to drop out because they are often excluded from learning as the curriculum is not adapted to their needs and the teachers do not have the training or time to provide individualized support and learning assistance.

In light of this scenario, the Federal Government is said to set aside money annually to deal with the challenges facing special needs children in both public and private basic schools. Special Education Fund disbursement to state and local governments is carried out by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Thus, between 2015 and 2018 the sum of N3, 468,091,142.07 was given to the 36 states and private providers of basic education as non-conditional grants to support education of special needs children at the state, local government and community levels

The commission has also disbursed N10, 272,000,000.00 to the 36 states and FCT as non-matching grants for Teacher Professional Development (TPD) to support training of teachers and education managers at the state and local government’ levels within the period.