The Bayelsa State Government says it will pay more attention to the education of children with special needs in the state.
To this end, the government has also commenced free tuition payment , feeding, and provision of uniforms for students in the state-owned special needs school.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri stated this on Monday at the Government House, Yenagoa, when he received a delegation that included 12 graduates trained in special needs education at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund (EDTF).
Governor Diri told the delegation, which included the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, and the EDTF Executive Secretary, Dr. Alice Atuwo, that the training of the teachers was one of his administration’s policies in the education sector not to leave anyone behind in the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the government’s investment in the training of the special needs teachers, who he said will, in turn, impart the knowledge gained on children with impairment in the state.
The governor directed the immediate employment for the teachers, noting that they were the first set to be trained in the sector and urged them to contribute their quota to the development of education in the state.
He appreciated the EDTF Executive Secretary and the board members, saying the laudable scheme was inherited from the immediate past administration.
He said: “The training of these teachers adds to the policies of this government not to leave anyone behind in the education sector of our state.
“I am happy that you have all graduated and now also want to contribute to the growth and development of education in Bayelsa State.
“Having satisfied the requirements to be teachers in our special education sector, I hereby direct the Ministry of Education to employ all 12 of you.
“Also, the school for the special needs students will now begin to enjoy the free tuition, free feeding and free uniforms policy that is already in place in all of our science and technical colleges across the state as well as our model schools.
“Already, four of the technical colleges at Ekeremor, Sagbama, Yenagoa, and Kolokuma-Opokuma have been completed and commenced academic activities, while that of Ogbia and Nembe are near completion. Next year, Brass and Southern Ijaw local government areas will get theirs.”
In her remarks, the EDTF Executive Secretary, Dr. Alice Atuwo, said 15 teachers of the state origin were enrolled by the board for the training, but 12 have graduated.
She stated that following the training, which lasted five years, the state now has its own trained teachers in its special needs school.
