By Rosemary Ogbonnaya
the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu made known his Commission’s readiness to partner with the National Commission for Colleges of Education in order to introduce the disability curriculum into Higher institutions through the Education Commission.
The ES who informed his background in College of Education, stressed that having knowledge in special education is very central to PWDs.
Lalu described the process as very key to interacting with Persons with disabilities in various spheres of life.
He underpinned that NCPWD has considered NCCE as a major stakeholder in the education and enlightenment of the public for a seamless integration of PWDs in the society.
“The days of having special schools are gradually fading out thus, the need to placing emphasis on inclusive learning at all levels of education in the country” he stressed.
Speaking further, the NCPWD Boss gave the distinction between studying Special education and Disability studies at degree levels. He further explained that while the former talks about periphery, the later entails full knowledge in every aspect of disabilities.
According to him, NCPWD will endeavor to build a contemporary disability center at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, to strengthen the acceptability of the curriculum.
In the same vein, he urged the ES, National Commission for Colleges of Education to create a Disability desk in his Commission and promised to provide capacity building for the Focal officer(s).
In his response, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Prof. Paulinus Chijike Okwelle said that he is elated at the antecedents of Mr. James Lalu and his achievements at the Commission in such a record time.
Okwelle thanked the Commander- In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Act that established NCPWD.
He described the Act as a veritable tool that will make Persons With disabilities relevant in the country.
The NCCE helmsman hinted that technology plays a pivotal role in assisting PWDs to communicate and to advance their course.
He further promised that NCCE is ready to comply with the propositions in the curriculum after it is carefully considered.
