The Federal Government, alongside education stakeholders, have commenced moves to ensure inclusive, safe and gender sensitive learning environments in the country.

The event was organised in Abuja by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission on Thursday to boost the capacity of Special Education Desk Officers from the 36 states and the FCT.

The theme of the workshop is “Promoting Inclusive, Safe, and Gender-Sensitive Learning Environments for All”.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, called for collaboration from school owners, development partners and state governments to promote inclusive and gender learning schools to promote national development.

Ahmad, represented by the Deputy Director, Science and Technology Department of the ministry, Kehinde Osinaike, urged participants to make use of the opportunity provided to carry everyone along.

She explained that the workshop was a critical step in translating gender and inclusive education policies into tangible and everyday practices.

“The National Policy on Inclusive Education was developed to remove barriers to learning, ensure equity, and improve access to quality education for all, especially learners with disabilities and those facing systemic disadvantages.

“Alongside this, the National Policy on Gender Education provides a framework for eliminating gender disparities and ensuring that both girls and boys have equal opportunities to access, participate in, and benefit from education.

“But as we all know, policies are only as effective as their implementation and we must go beyond rhetoric,” she said.

The minister, however, pledged Tinubu’s commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable education in the country.

Also, the Executive Secretary, NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi, said the essence of the capacity workshop was to equip the desk officers with modern trends in implementing inclusive practices that would address Gender-Based Violence.

Ajayi said that for there to be meaningful change, there was a need to empower the frontline officers who are the direct link to our schools and communities.

“Our goal is to transform our senior secondary schools into true sanctuaries of learning, where every child, irrespective of their abilities, gender, or background, feels valued and safe.

“As Special Education Officers, you are the architects of inclusion in our educational system. You are the advocates, the monitors, and the support systems that ensure our policies translate into meaningful action.

“Your role is central to dismantling barriers, fostering a culture of acceptance, and ensuring that no learner is left behind,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan, said that statistics showed 35.5 million persons are living with disabilities, hence the need to address critical issues affecting them.

Gufwan said that in reality, everyone created is living with one form of disability or the other and as such must not ignore their challenges.

He expressed worry over the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities, noting that most schools do not have ramps for easy access of PWDs.