Kano State Govt empowers PWDs through overseas scholarships
People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State, who meet the necessary qualifications, will now have the opportunity to benefit from the state government’s recently reintroduced overseas scholarship scheme.
The State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, made this announcement in a press statement signed by Ameen K. Yassar, mnipr, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Kano State Ministry of Education.
The statement was made available to Viewfinder on Wednesday in Kano.
According to the Commissioner, this initiative is part of the present administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness and equal access to education for every citizen of the state, in line with international conventions.
“We will offer scholarships to individuals with first-class and second-class upper degrees, including those with disabilities, to encourage their development into productive citizens who can lead meaningful lives,” he stated.
Alhaji Umar Doguwa expressed this commitment on Wednesday while addressing officials from Mercy Corps and the Coalition of Disabled Self Advocacy Network Group, two non-governmental organizations that jointly visited him in his office.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the government will explore the possibility of establishing inclusive schools in various parts of the state.
Additionally, efforts will be made to provide inclusive facilities in existing public schools, ensuring that people with disabilities are included in the state’s development plans.
The Commissioner emphasized the government’s dedication to supporting PWDs, highlighting that the state government recently provided 150 NECO examination registration forms to them.
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of this opportunity to improve their living standards.
Alhaji Umar Doguwa pledged that the state government will continue to collaborate with non-governmental organizations to enhance the well-being of its citizens.
He encouraged development partners to align themselves with the administration’s policies and programs to achieve sustainable results.
Earlier, Nafisa Amadu Abubakar, the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Mercy Corps, and representatives of physically challenged individuals had appealed to the state government for support in conducting a peace-building program in the state. They also requested that PWDs be included in the government’s developmental plans.
In a related development, the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, assured the public that the state government would collaborate with development partners to address critical education needs in the state.
These areas of focus include teachers’ professional development, girl-child education, education for vulnerable children, and access to digital education.
While receiving a visit from Mr. Jeremiah Oseni, the founder and Executive Director of the DBEGOTIN Educational Foundation, in Kano, the Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with development partners to improve the educational landscape of the state.