By Amaechi Agbo

The Federal Ministry of Education has directed all Nigerian universities to exclude persons with disabilities from the compulsory post-UTME.

Minister Of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu gave the directive at the African Regional Conference on Equal Opportunities, organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu who gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja during the first Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), said the move was necessary to ensure equal access to education for all, particularly persons living with disabilities.

“JAMB also sought and obtained approval at the 67th National Council on Education meeting to exempt candidates with disabilities from Post/UTME Screening. I, therefore, reiterate, as already announced, that all tertiary institutions in Nigeria are to offer admissions to all candidates with disabilities who possess minimum admissible scores into the programmes of their choice after writing UTME.

“This initiative, together with the ambitious target to enrol 825,000 students with disabilities cumulatively over the next five years, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to realizing equal access to education.

“It is also important that I inform this gathering that the DOTS policy takes into consideration the unique needs of the vulnerable groups vis-à-vis their needs for quality education and assurance that every child, including those with disability challenges, will have adequate opportunities to acquire adequate skills to realize their full potential later in life.”

Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, called for the establishment of a support centre for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to facilitate access to education.

He proposed that the centre, equipped with the necessary technology and support, should have at least one branch in each geo-political zones of the country, under the auspices of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

In another development, the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu has revealed government’s decision to unbundle the country’s 115 unity colleges.

The Minister was speaking at the Annual General meeting of Principals of Unity Schools in Abuja

The Minister also encouraged Unity Colleges to work closely with their host communities to ensure there is a collaborative effort on safe school initiatives.