The alumni association of Basdem Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo, in Orumba South Local Government Area has called on Anambra State Government, philanthropists and public-spirited individuals to help reposition the school and equip students with necessary material to enhance teaching and learning in the school.
speaking at a symposium held at Professor Kenneth Dike Central e-Library Awka, the National President of Basdem Memorial Special Education Centre Alumni Association, Barrister Onyinye Evughire, said though limited in some ways, the association has been doing its part in addressing challenges students at the centre face, but said that government attention is direly needed for more impact in repositioning the state owned special education center.
The symposium with the theme, “A call to action on special education and healthcare for persons with disabilities” was designed to bring together experts, policy makers and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the special education and healthcare sectors in the state, and to raise awareness on the needs of people with special needs, advocate improved services and support for them.
Barrister Evughire, who was among pioneer students of the school and now a Principal State Counsel with the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the special education centre has produced hundreds of persons in different professions, and called on parents who have children with disabilities to bring them out so they can be nurtured to realize their potential and contribute to societal development, noting that disability is not the end of life, and that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right.
Anambra State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, represented by Comrade Philip Onwubuya, said the association is aware of the challenges facing the centre, has visited and ensured that issues affecting persons with disabilities, especially that of students at the centre, were taking into consideration in preparing the 2024 budget of the Anambra State Government, adding, however, that implementing the budget is key to addressing the challenges.
In line with achieving inclusive education, the JONAPWD Chairman called for recruitment of more persons with disabilities in the ongoing teachers’ recruitment exercise, recommended that teachers living with disabilities be allowed to teach in the regular school; and vice versa, and that regular schools be made disability-friendly.
Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-udeh, represented by the Acting Director of Educational Services, Mrs Ifeoma Onyeneke, said the ministry has commenced actions to address erosion challenge facing the special education centre.
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