NGO wants hike in UBEC funding

A non-governmental organization, Human Development Initiatives (HDI) has called for increase in the funding for Universal Basic Education from 2% to 4% of budget to enable the commission reach children with special needs.

HDI acting executive director, Olufunso Owasanoye says the increase will help address the high number deficit in infrastructure and learning resources.

In talks during an advocacy visit to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Abuja, Owasanoye said, “It is very critical that children with special needs must be involved in the work plan of Universal Basic Education because the foundation of a child goes a long way in defining the child’s future.

“They should not be ostracized or marginalized since they are part of the society and needs good basic education like any other child.”

She said disadvantaged children suffer stigmatization and are most often never carried along in the work plan for basic education as these add to the trauma they go through.

She urged UBEC to ensure the inclusion of basic education for children with disability by rehabilitating and providing existing