The number of children living with disabilities has risen to 240 million globally. It is also estimated that the number will keep soaring because of the various diseases and disorders that have severe consequences. Like others, this group of children has dreams and ambitions for their future. They need quality education to ensure they have acquired the skills to realize their dreams. Policymakers in most developing countries have long-overlooked children with disabilities when coming up with new education laws. This limits their access to quality education and their ability to participate in political, social, and economic activities. In West Africa, disabled children are most likely to be out of school because the learning environment is not conducive.
The special children are robbed of their chance to learn, meaning they cannot participate in community development by joining the workforce and decision-making. Their call to ensure the special children are given their right to education yielded inclusive education. Inclusive education means the special children are included in the same class as the others. This form of education provides special children with authentic learning opportunities in a traditionally excluded group. Inclusive education does not target only disabled children but also members of minority groups.
Inclusive education emphasizes the children’s values, background, and contribution to ensure diverse groups sit side by side in a learning environment. Teachers must be trained at all school levels to ensure the implementation of inclusive learning is successful. Factors affecting inclusive learning like stigma and discrimination must be tackled, and individuals must be informed about inclusive learning benefits. The government must ensure education laws and policies align with the Convention on the Rights of Persons living with disabilities at the state and federal levels. Government agencies must also ensure they collect, analyze and update their data to ensure these children are reached with effective services.
