The Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) has announced a partnership agreement with the Non-Governmental Organization Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education (PLANE) during its 35th Annual Conference.
Speaking at the ongoing conference, the National President of the association, Dr Catherine Peter Atteng, stated that the partnership aims to strengthen the association’s capacity to promote quality inclusive education in the country.
“We now have an international partnership and league with PLANE, UKAID, and DAI to further strengthen our capacity to vigorously catalyse and promote quality inclusive education for all in Nigeria,” Atteng said.
She stressed that the partnership will involve every major stakeholder in the education sector.
“NASET and PLANE, as major stakeholders in education and disability inclusion, will continue to synergise with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and other critical stakeholders to advocate for the domestication of the disability law across all the states and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria,” Atteng reiterated.
The conference, themed “Professionalizing Special Needs Education Services: The Need for Technology-Based Skills,” was attended by stakeholders in special education across the country.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Florence Banku-Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, represented by Professor Dada of the University of Ibadan, advocated for policies and technological infrastructure that will enable people with disabilities to function optimally wherever they find themselves.
The lead paper was presented by Professor Williams Emeka Obiozor of the Centre for Disability and Special Needs Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In his presentation, Obiozor advocated for the introduction of well-equipped technology centres at special schools to bridge the technology gap between people with special needs and the societal skill requirements for employability.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was inducted as a fellow of the association alongside the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Hammid Bobboyi, Dr. Chijioke Josephine of the UBEC Department of Special Programs and Amb. Mube Awala Beatrice of the FCT Women Affairs Mandate Secretariat.
The conference is being held at Imaguero College and will conclude on Friday.
