…as it creates centre for special candidates
There is the need for governments at various levels, to increase the establishment of special schools so as to take care of more students with disabilities who are willing to formal education.
A representative of Joint Admission Matriculation Board JAMB, Professor Rasheed Aderinoye made the call in Ado Ekiti during a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME to provide equal opportunity for students living with disabilities.
This year’s JAMB examinations for the disabled is being carried out in Ekiti State and other ten centres across the country including Oyo, Lagos, Benin, Abuja.
Twenty eight candidates will be writing the examinaton in Ekiti state, three hundred and thirty six candidates will be participating through out the federation.
Professor Aderinoye noted that most of the schools for the blind and other disabilities in Nigeria were privately owned, consequently most special students were not opportuned to acquire tertiary education
The JAMB representative however said free accomodations, transportation, feeding and writing materials had been provided for the special students writing the examinations by the Board.
He maintained that the arrangements was to ensure that all students living with disabilities were giving opportunity to acquire tertiary education.
In a remak, the wife of Ekiti State Governor Dr Olayemi Oyebanji commended the Joint Admission Matriculation Board for equal opportunity giving to special students saying that such would contribute to the promotion of tolerance and acceptability among the physically challenged.
Dr Oyebanji said that inclusive education is a fundamental human right, that every child deserved, since it is crucial for development of the society.
She appealed to all stakeholders in education sector to continue to promote ideas that would allow all students to thrive and reach their potentials.
The Vice chancellor of Ekiti State University where the examination is taking place, Professor Edward Olanipekun represented by his deputy academics, Professor James Ayodele also urged stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to education regardless of their phsical or mental ability.
In appreciation, one of the special candidates, Miss Precious Sodehinde appreciated JAMB for creating special centres for them, saying such would aid their performances in the exam
Relevant top government officials and other university lectures were in attendance.