Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education by equipping teachers with modern teaching strategies to support students with disabilities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, stated this at a two-day training programme for over 130 educators from both special and mainstream schools, organized by the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Ikere-Ekiti.
She emphasized the administration’s dedication to ensuring equal access to quality education for all students regardless of their ability, highlighting Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s proactive efforts in integrating students with disabilities into mainstream schools by providing assistive technology and establishing smart classrooms to enhance learning outcomes.
“Our goal is to eliminate barriers to education and foster an inclusive learning environment where every child can reach his full potential. This training equips our teachers with the skills necessary to adopt modern, technology-driven strategies for engaging students with disabilities,” Agboola stated.
Also speaking, AGILE Project Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua, commended the state government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive education. She noted that beyond teacher training, AGILE has supported various interventions, including school renovations, provision of digital learning resources and public awareness campaigns to combat stigma and promote equal opportunities.
“With over 200 children with severe disabilities already integrated into the school system, this initiative represents a significant step forward in Ekiti State’s efforts to establish a more inclusive, technology-driven education framework—setting a benchmark for educational equity and social inclusion in Nigeria,” she added.
One of the participants, Mr. Taiwo Tolulope, a mathematics teacher from the Special School for the Blind, expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as an eye-opening experience that would significantly enhance their teaching methodologies.
He acknowledged the importance of adapting innovative instructional techniques and advocated for curriculum adjustments to better accommodate students with disabilities.
This initiative reinforces Ekiti State’s commitment to fostering an inclusive education system that empowers every child to succeed, regardless of his learning challenges.