Reps task higher institutions on special needs students

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC) and higher institutions to initiate programmes that would provide opportunities for special needs students to explore and attain their full potentials.

The call followed a motion moved on the floor of the House, calling for the protection of the interest of blind and other physically challenged students in all tertiary institutions.

The motion titled “Need to Provide and Protect the Interest of Blind Students (Special Students) in Higher Institutions of Learning,” was moved by Henry Nwawuba (PDP, Imo).

According to him, the tertiary education system was structured and favoured able-bodied men and women despite the presence of people with special needs in the society who should also be catered for in terms of having equal access to education.

Nwabuba further lamented the lack of learning facilities for special students, especially the visually impaired which compounded their plight in schools.