The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the North-East Development Commission, has begun efforts to renovate and rebuild the School for Persons with Disabilities in the state, a development officials say will enhance inclusive education.
The initiative received praise on Thursday from Halima Mahdi, Gombe State Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, who described the project as both timely and significant.
Mahdi lauded the state’s Commissioner for Education and the Chairman of the Gombe State Disability Commission for working alongside the NEDC to upgrade the facility and create a better learning environment for students with disabilities.
She noted that the project would go a long way in improving both the academic and social well-being of learners, adding that a safe and accessible school environment is crucial to achieving universal education.
According to her, the intervention reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive policies and aligns with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mahdi further stated that the renovation would not only improve infrastructure but also restore confidence and dignity among learners with disabilities, potentially increasing enrolment and retention rates.
She, however, urged the government and relevant stakeholders to sustain investments in special needs education through teacher training and adequate provision of learning materials to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
