Alaafin Calls for Better Education Support for Children With Disabilities

(Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade. Photo Credit: Palace Media)

The Alaafin of Oyo has called for stronger commitment to education and more funding to ensure all pupils, including those with disabilities, have equal learning opportunities.

The traditional ruler said education should be seen as a basic human right and the foundation for a fairer society.

This requires adequate funding to meet goals for equal learning for all pupils.

Alaafin said special education prevents wasting human potential by giving people with disabilities the instruction and tools they need to become independent and skilled.

It prepares them for jobs and careers so they become self-reliant workers who pay taxes and reduce dependency.

Special education also creates an inclusive society that values human rights and the dignity of all citizens, the monarch noted.

He stressed that education is a social service meant for everybody in the community, whether able-bodied or with disabilities.

It is a right for everyone to be educated and gain knowledge, skills and information to contribute to their communities.

The Alaafin expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Federal College of Education (Special) management.

He said the college has all the structures and human resources needed for university status. What it needs now is political backing and royal support.

He assured the college's governing council that he would support whatever they need for the institution's progress.

The college was established in 1977 and has the best-qualified staff in special education not only in Nigeria but in West, North, East and Central Africa.

It is the only one of its kind in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa with the largest number of students with disabilities in any higher institution in the country.