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Bolanle Edwards, the founder of the Strap and Safe Child Foundation, stressed the importance of providing every child with the opportunity to learn in a proper and balanced environment, regardless of their circumstances, including physical challenges.
“Well, it is to celebrate our children, the Nigerian child, and it’s about education, inclusion for their education,” Edwards stated. “Every child should be allowed to learn in a proper and well-balanced environment, regardless of whether they are able-bodied, physically challenged, or have learning disabilities. Whatever the case, the child should be part of a normal education system with proper amenities in place.”
The debate featured 25 students from both junior and senior public schools in Lagos. Explaining the focus of the debate, Edwards added, “Everything discussed today centres around the safety of our children in their education. This means there should be no segregation or separation when a child is learning any skills or undergoing any form of education.”
Edwards advised parents, saying, “A child does not drop from heaven. When a child is born, parents, guardians, school owners, the government, and caregivers all share responsibility for their care.
The safety and security of children should be a top priority, and they should be placed at the forefront, not the background. Children are often voiceless, so we must speak out and advocate for them at all times.”
She also urged the government to provide more ramps in schools for children using wheelchairs. “Let us have proper structures and infrastructure in school environments and on the roads as well, to ensure that transporting a child from point A to point B is easy and manageable,” Edwards concluded.
Mrs Amidat Alausa, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, stressed the importance of security education for learners. “Children should be aware of their environment. Wherever they are, they should not ignore potential dangers; they should remove anything that can harm them or others. The NGO partnered with Lagos to make our children safety-conscious.”
Mr O’Brown Mac-Hopper, the Assistant Director of LASODA, advised parents and other stakeholders in the education sector to change their perception towards persons living with disabilities.
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