Benin City – Stakeholders in the special education sector have chatted a roadmap with a view to making education available and accessable to every child irrespective of their disability and location in Edo state.

At a 3-Day workshop to develop a disability centered inclusive education strategic roadmap for the state held at Chief John Odigie Oyegun public service academy, the stakeholders harp on the need for government at all levels to prioritize education of every child as prescribed by the various enabling laws.

Declaring open, the workshop organized by Network for the Advancement of Persons with Visible Disability (NAPVID), executive chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Ozavize Salami said Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is committed to education of every Edo child irrespective of their physical status.

“His Excellency is absolutely committed to special and inclusive education”, Salami said while describing the workshop as “timely”.

Executive Director of NAPVID, Barr Melody Omosah expressed appreciation to the governor for his administration’s partnership with the organization.

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According to Omosah, inclusive education is the core of inclusive governance hence NAPVID is working closely with the state government to ensure the mainstreaming of appreciable numbers of persons with disabilities into the public service is achieved.

“I want to thank Mr governor for the partnership and we are over confident that this will be sustained throughout his term. I also believe the persons with disability Bill that has been sent by the executive and presently in the House of Assembly, when eventually passed; and I hope that will be soonest, it will further contribute in making education reachable and accessible to every child”, Omosah said

He noted that a document crafted from the workshop will be sent to the governor to serve as “a blueprint that will direct education as far as it affects children with disabilities in the state.”

Other speakers included Justice Peter Isibor (Rtd), representative of the commissioner of Education, Joan Oviawe, Vice Chancellor University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others.

The workshop held through on 10th May to 13th May 2022 is in line with Article 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that every state must ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.