Stakeholders seek affordable education for children with special needs

The Special Educational Needs and Therapy Empowerment (SENTE) has highlighted the urgent need for reforms in special needs care.

Educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and disability rights advocates at the Lagos event called for inclusive education and affordable therapy for children with disabilities.

Mudi Nwachukwu, SENTE’s chair, said the event was driven by a parent’s plea for practical, daily solutions beyond mere awareness.

The conference, themed ‘Practical Tips and Resources to Care for Children with Special Needs: Empowering Caregivers and Families’, addressed critical issues like toilet training, therapy choices, mental health, and inclusive education.

A key concern was the prohibitive cost of therapy and specialised education. Attendees called for government and private sector intervention to subsidise these expenses, advocating that therapy should not be a luxury.

The lack of accessible and affordable special needs centres and trained professionals was also highlighted.

Participants asked the government to implement inclusive policies in education and healthcare, harping on the need for public awareness campaigns to combat stigma.