EQUAL BASIC EDUCATION FOR ALL IN NIGERIA: IS IT A REALITY FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN BASIC SCHOOLS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria as a nation continues to make efforts to implement equal and quality education as stipulated in Sustainable Development Goals No.4. Since 2015 therefore, Nigeria has been committed to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for children with disabilities in other to comply with the SDG 4 target 4.5. ahead of 2030. To achieve this objective, National Policy for Special Needs Education (NPSNE) was formulated in 2015. This study examined the level of educational provision and implementation of equal educational opportunity for children with disabilities in Southwest Nigeria. It adopted survey research design and the population consist of all public primary schools for children with disabilities. The sample for the study comprised 34 primary schools and 34 head teachers. Multi-Stage sampling procedure was used to select the samples. An instrument named Educational Provision for Special Needs Pupils Checklist (EPSNPC) was used. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and means. The result showed that there was low educational provision for children with disabilities, learning equipment and materials available were also low and very low implementation of inclusive education for children with disabilities. The study concluded that education for all is yet to be a reality for children with disabilities in Southwest Nigeria.

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