Stakeholders in Mashi and Musawa LGAs of Katsina on Tuesday pledged to ensure girls have equal access to learning as boys.

They also committed to promoting inclusive education for children with special needs during separate awareness campaigns held in their communities.

The campaigns were organised by Save the Children International in collaboration with GoalPrime Nigeria, through the Education Cannot Wait First Emergency Response-funded project.

Mashi council chairman Salisu Kallah stressed the need for parents to give their daughters equal opportunities with sons in terms of education. He said that female education benefits both families and communities, noting that a girl supported through schooling could later provide vital services, such as in healthcare.

Mr Kallah urged rural parents to allow their daughters to attend school, assuring them that the council is ready to provide necessary support. On disability inclusion, he said children with special needs are also Nigerians and deserve full educational opportunities despite their limitations.

He explained that disability does not mean inability, but lack of opportunity and support, adding that the council had appointed persons with disabilities to various positions.

District head of Mashi, Iyan Katsina, Kabiru Ibrahim, commended SCI’s efforts, stating that the emirate was fully in support of the project.

Mr Ibrahim restated the importance of enrolling children with special needs in schools. He argued that such children could be more intelligent than their peers, and denying them education amounts to a violation of their rights. He noted the project had significantly improved school enrolment in their communities, particularly among children with special needs.

Similarly, the district head of Musawa, Sagir Abdullahi-Inde, said the campaign aimed to sensitise the public on girl-child education and the rights of children with special needs.

SCI programme manager Atine Lewi said the organisation had assessed approximately 500 children with special needs, supporting 350, but aimed to reach 3,200 children in both areas. She added that SCI had conducted end-line tests under its Alternative Learning Centre and procured 500 learning kits for the children.

Ms Lewi noted that many schools lack ramps, and many children assessed required wheelchairs. She lamented mobility challenges, saying schools remain inaccessible without ramps. 

(NAN)