Nigeria
NUC promises to give those with disabilities equal opportunity in education
According to Chris Maiyaki, acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Commission is prepared and eager to introduce courses and programmes that would strengthen national capacity towards achieving the goals of providing equal opportunities for PLWDs.
The head of the NUC said that this was in keeping with the Commission’s commitment to continuously update and develop minimal academic requirements that are accepted globally for the effective delivery of university education in the nation.
At the inaugural National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education, which was put on by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, or JAMB, on Monday, Maiyaki made the commitment.
According to Chris Maiyaki, acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Commission is prepared and eager to introduce courses and programmes that would strengthen national capacity towards achieving the goals of providing equal opportunities for PLWDs.
The head of the NUC said that this was in keeping with the Commission’s commitment to continuously update and develop minimal academic requirements that are accepted globally for the effective delivery of university education in the nation.
At the inaugural National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education, which was put on by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, or JAMB, on Monday, Maiyaki made the commitment.
The UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education (CADE 1960), she said, was in compliance with the convention.
The conference’s goal is to increase possibilities for people with disabilities to enrol in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. Its topic is “Towards Increasing Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria.”
“As providers of higher education, we must pay close attention to the difficulties that students with disabilities encounter on our individual campuses. It is important to make sure that adequate and accessible infrastructure is provided for them, including putting in place measures to cater for their easy access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, washrooms, dining halls, and sports/recreational facilities, as well as access to financial support for their general wellbeing, said he.
The head of NUC claimed that approximately 27 million Nigerians were estimated to be living with some sort of disability, including visual, hearing, physical, intellectual, and communication impairment.
He emphasised that all Nigerians would receive an inclusive education under the National Policy on Education.
The Policy clearly states that students with disabilities should attend ordinary schools with their peers who are not disabled, Maiyaki continued.
While praising the Registrar and the JAMB management for the innovation, Maiyaki expressed his hope that it would be maintained in order to meet its stated goals.
