By Blessing Odega
The Plateau Government has advocated inclusive classrooms that provide every child with equal opportunities to learn, participate, lead and fulfil their potential.
Mrs Josephine Piyo, Plateau Deputy Governor, made the call on Thursday in Jos at the 2nd Edition of the Inclusive Youth Leadership Conference organised by the Modupe Afiz Ogun Foundation.
The conference had the theme “Inclusive Classrooms for an Inclusive Nigeria”.
Piyo commended the Modupe Afiz Ogun Foundation, for organising the conference, saying the theme was a call to action on the need to create learning environments where no child felt excluded.
She said classrooms were more than spaces for academic learning, as they were places where confidence was built, dreams were discovered and children learned to appreciate differences.
According to her, every child has a unique background, ability, personality and aspiration, adding that every child deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to learn.
“Inclusion therefore means creating learning environments where no child is made to feel that he or she does not belong,” she said.
The deputy governor said the state government remained committed to human capital development, youth empowerment, education, innovation and creating opportunities for young people.
She urged stakeholders to change the narrative of describing young people only as “leaders of tomorrow”, saying they were also partners in leadership today.
Piyo said inclusive education also required investment in teachers through continuous professional development, modern teaching methods and appropriate learning materials.
She said teachers needed to be adequately equipped and supported to respond to the different learning needs of children.
The deputy governor also called for greater inclusion of technology in education, saying rapid developments in artificial intelligence, digital technology and automation were transforming education and employment.
She urged stakeholders to equip young people with digital skills, mentorship and entrepreneurship opportunities, stressing that they should not only consume technology but also learn to create with it.
Piyo said Plateau had recognised the importance of digital literacy and technology in expanding opportunities for young people, particularly young women.
She called for stronger partnerships among government, educators, foundations and communities to expand opportunities for young people.
The deputy governor urged young people not to allow their circumstances to determine the size of their dreams, assuring them that their voices mattered.
She also commended teachers, educators and inclusion advocates for helping to restore confidence, unlock potential and inspire young people.
Piyo urged stakeholders to move beyond conversations and translate ideas from the conference into programmes, stressing that inclusion should be reflected in policies and daily conduct.
Earlier, Mrs Modupe Ogun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, said the conference was important because youths served as models for the younger generation and support for the older generation.
Ogun said classrooms were modelling spaces for every child, stressing that inclusion was key to building a society where children from different backgrounds could learn together.
“An inclusive classroom is a place where children from different backgrounds learn the core of humanity,” she said.
Similarly, Dr Yilji Kuntaap, Chairman, Governing Board of the foundation, said building an inclusive Nigeria had to begin from the classroom, where no child was left behind.
Kuntaap said inclusive education would teach children to appreciate diversity, adding that “diversity is our strength.”
He said the foundation’s work with children had shown that every child could learn and contribute to the development of Nigeria.
He called for more policies and curricula that promoted inclusive classrooms and ensured equal opportunities for every child.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference brought together stakeholders and young people to discuss inclusive education and youth leadership. (NAN)
