The International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP) has pledged support for the inclusion of impoverished and autistic learners in Nigeria’s education system, beginning with Lagos State.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the National Inclusion Practitioners Conference scheduled for May 29 and 30, the President of IFIP, Daniel Sobels, noted that inclusion remains a top priority in Nigeria’s educational development.
He said: “The International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners is dedicated to capturing and sharing best practices and inclusion from around the world, and by inclusion we mean children who may struggle with neurological issues, we’ve heard of dyslexia, autism, but actually there’s a very broad spectrum, children who may be challenged with impoverishment from poorer backgrounds, mental health, social, and even gifted students who don’t necessarily have opportunities.”
According to him, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa’s “No Child Left Behind” vision aligns with the objectives of the conference, which aims to celebrate and support government efforts toward inclusive education.
He said: “Inclusion is a top priority here in Nigeria that the Education Minister has referred to as “No Child Left Behind”. This conference is a celebration of their vision and of their work, and to support that work, and we hope it will usher in a new level of concentration specifically on inclusion knowledge and inclusion skills.”
He explained that IFIP is committed to sharing global best practices on inclusion, particularly for children with neurological conditions such as autism and dyslexia, as well as learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, those facing mental health challenges, and gifted students lacking adequate opportunities.
According to Sobels about 20 per cent of every society consists of children who struggle to complete school successfully or contribute meaningfully to the economy because they are not adequately supported.
“The International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners is dedicated to capturing and sharing best practices in inclusion from around the world. Inclusion generally serves approximately 20 per cent of any given society, and these are the children who often do not complete school well or have opportunities to flourish,” he said.
The National Executive Director of the National Inclusion Conference and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Links Educational Consultant, Angelina Ikeako said the conference goes beyond inclusion and focuses on transformation, advocacy, and ensuring that every Nigerian child receives the support, intervention, and accommodation needed to succeed.
