Are you aware that you’re unique? That there is no one else like you. This is not me trying to butter you up. I believe that everyone is unique and in this case, I’m leaning towards the aspect of learning.
You know what upsets me? When parents and teachers compare students to one another. You’ve probably heard the words,” Does this child have two heads? Why did he do better? How is he learning this faster than you are?”
Dear comparison master, everyone just learns differently. One thing that many people forget is that each person has unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles. My brother has Autism and leans towards learning in Audio-visual form. I’ve realized that people who are not on the spectrum or neurodivergent, also learn differently.
This brings me to the important point that a classroom should be able to accommodate people’s learning differences.
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Let me give you an example. My brother once attended the same primary school as I did and he never stayed in class because he didn’t know exactly what they were saying, and we hadn’t uncovered his diagnosis yet. The school probably didn’t know how to teach him because they didn’t have special needs education experts in the establishment.
The classroom is filled with different people, therefore we have to make individualized provisions, and that is where special education comes in. Special education exists because children with disabilities have specific learning needs that cannot be met within a standard classroom environment.
These needs could include modified curricula, adaptive technologies, or specialized teaching techniques that cater to a child's specific condition. As long as there are individuals with unique needs, special education will be required to meet those needs effectively.
See also: The rude awakening about disabilities in Nigeria
I believe everyone deserves a right to quality education. The right to education cannot be denied based on a child’s disability, and schools are legally obligated to provide accommodations, modifications, and support to make education accessible to all, not some, but all.
The goal of inclusion is to ensure that students have the support they need to succeed in general classrooms.
Every child, regardless of ability, has a right to live in an inclusive society. Special education ensures that children with disabilities are not just seen as “different” but as unique individuals with their contributions to make. Diversity is now recognized as a strength, not a weakness. There are no pitiful looks directed to persons with disabilities. There is no use asking if “they can” because they can and they will.
They have been successful in various fields, from science to the arts, technology to politics. These people have also been a source of job creation. But before they get to that stage, they need to learn and teachers need to take a chance on them. As long as there are students with diverse learning requirements, disabilities, and challenges, special education will remain a crucial aspect of educational systems. It is not a concept that can be phased out.
See also: Down Syndrome day: Screentime for Persons with special needs
So, if you know a school that isn’t invested in special education, remind them of the right to education for everyone. But, quality education.
But shoutout to all educators who make the classroom inclusive! This is Mrs. Ivie Okwugbena and she is one of the most amazing special needs educators out there. I hope we get more of her now and especially in Nigeria.
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