WORLD RING A BELL DAY: "Every Child Deserves To Be In School" .. NGO Partners Govt On Children With Special Needs

"Our Governor, is somebody who is so keen about our educational standards here in Kaduna state", Hon. Shedrack Hassan

The fate of the Physically Challenged Persons in our society, has always being a subject for discuss at various fora but one aspect of this that has not received commensurate attention is that of "Children with Special Needs".

Across Kaduna state, especially in the rural areas, "Children with Special Needs" have continued to experience challenges in securing admission into schools and are therefore, turned away with claims of inadequate teaching facilities and aides to cater for their needs.

In an attempt at addressing this, Hpoe for the Village Child Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation located in the Chikun Local Govt axis of the state, recently organized a session with parents and children with "Special Needs" to celebrate the "World Ring A Bell Day".

According to the Hope for the Village Child Foundation, the "World Ring A Bell Day" is a global event celebrated annually which is aimed at ensuring that no child is denied education

Among dignitaries present to hear and rub minds with the parents of these children was Honourable Shedrack David Hassan, Supervisory Councilor for Education and Social Development, Chikun Local Govt Council.

Speaking with Naij News Alert, Hon. Hassan disclosed in order to alleviate the problem of gaining admissions into schools by the physically disadvantaged children, especially those with “Special Needs”, one must commend Hope for the Village Child Foundation for bringing such an initiative because, that is one important benefit for having such organizations within our communities and even at the state level.

"Education, as we all know is very paramount in our lives and the society in which we are living and, if you do not give the younger ones quality education, be rest assured that we will have no leaders for tomorrow". 

"Be assured that this project and initiative is a very welcomed idea because, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai who is my boss and our Governor, is somebody who is so keen about our educational standards here in Kaduna state", Hon. Shedrack Hassan said. 

According to the Supervisory Councilor, " just last year and previous years past, His Excellency has restructured and updated our educational sector by bringing in quality teachers, especially people who are truly made for the job itself of teaching. Structurally, there has been series of upgrades".

"Our coming into this is something that is already in line and being processed. Talking about children with disabilities, this is something we are doing to see how to bring them into the system especially into a conducive environment that will make everyone happy and, it is important to state here that, nobody is better or special than the other because, in the sight of God Almighty, we are all same". 

"We will make sure that we create enough sensitization and awareness that people with disabilities should be well catered for and be seen to be so".

Hassan noted that these people with disabilities will be also be leaders of tomorrow and if they are carried along; there will tremendous improvement in the system. 

He assured the gathering that he would immediately on returning back to the Council, prepare his report and deliver same to the Council chairman.

"It is equally good that the Education Secretary who is also a stakeholder in the education sector here in Chikun Local Government is here also and I want to assure that we will sit down together as a team and see how to make this be a very big project". 

Responding to allegations of government more interested in talk shows instead of facing squarely issues before it, he said;

"My physical presence here today will attest to the seriousness to which I have accorded this issue. We are going to be serious with this and, without me coming here would have given doubts to our intentions and commitment. We have seen, heard and also taken notes. We are going back to the drawing board to make sure that we bring up an inclusive system in education here in this local government and the state at large". Tasked on the possibility of government establishing a school that will cater for the needs of children with Special Needs, he ahlgain has this to say;

"It will interest you to note that we already have something in place at the state level but government is working towards bringing it down to the local level where people in the rural areas and communities can access same".

"By God’s grace, with this initiative, it will ginger us into doing what we truly need to do, and quickly, in creating more centres where such children with special needs can be adequately taken care of".

"This is a government of action and also, very proactive in responding to issues. However, we all know that there are modalities involved in this but then, be assured it will get the desired attention from the government".

"Hope for the Village Child Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organisation that also needs support from the government and we must also note that they have begun a very commendable project and with the government coming into it, things will surely look up for “Children with Special Needs”, Honourable Shedrack David Hassan concluded.