Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called for the inclusion of persons with special needs in the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment AGILE) project.
The call was made at the conclusion of a two-day town hall meeting on Friday in Bauchi, organised by Info-Media Consultants in collaboration with the Bauchi State AGILE Project.
The stakeholders emphasised that true educational reform must be inclusive and equitable.
Specifically speaking, Hajiya Asmau Yahaya, one of the key speakers, stressed the importance of involving persons with special needs in policy development.
She noted that inclusive education recognised diverse learning styles, strengths, and challenges, and that educational policies must accommodate these differences rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Involving people with special needs ensures they are not left behind and that their voices shape the policies that impact their lives,” she said.
Prof. Mainasara Kurfi of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, identified several factors contributing to school dropouts among girls, including child labour, gender bias favouring boys, lack of support for orphans, and peer pressure.
He urged parents, traditional leaders, and policymakers to prioritise girls’ education more strongly.
Also speaking, Prof. Munnir Kamba, a consultant, highlighted the wider benefits of educating girls, noting that it drove economic development, encouraged continued education among peers, and enhanced overall family well-being.
In his remarks, Dr Lawal Mohammed, Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to inclusive education.
He emphasised that the state was giving special attention to both girls’ education and the inclusion of persons with special needs in all educational policies.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those with special needs,” Mohammed stated.
