Osun special needs schools remain shut as funding crisis delays resumption
Schools for Special Needs Students in Osun State Remain Closed Due to Funding Issues
OSOGBO, Nigeria — Special needs schools in Osun State are currently closed, a situation caused by delays in resuming academic activities due to funding constraints. The state government has cited inadequate financial resources to provide essential boarding and feeding services for students at institutions in Osogbo, Ilesa, and Iwo.
Officials expressed concerns about the impact of the closures on the education of children requiring specialized learning support. The Osun State Secondary School for Students with Special Needs in Osogbo, among others, has impeded students from attending school despite the broader resumption of classes across the state.
Previous reports have highlighted persistent challenges in these educational institutions, including insufficient learning materials, leaking roofs, substandard hostel and toilet facilities, and a lack of qualified personnel to assist students with special needs.
Dipo Eluwole, the state Commissioner for Education, addressed the funding issues during a visit to the Osogbo school on Wednesday. He explained that the current financial situation has hindered the government’s ability to ensure the welfare of the students.
“The non-resumption of the students is due to the unavailability of funds to cater for their boarding and feeding programme,” Eluwole stated. He attributed the financial difficulties to the Federal Government’s failure to release local government allocations, urging citizens to advocate for the timely release of funds intended for Osun State.
Part of the outstanding funds is earmarked to support feeding programs critical for students with special needs, whose educational requirements encompass adequate accommodation and nutrition.
Eluwole responded to allegations of government neglect, asserting that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke is committed to providing quality education despite existing financial challenges. He emphasized that resuming classes without ensuring students’ basic needs would be inappropriate.
Chairman of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, Aremo Adekunle Alao, and Executive Secretary Yahaya Bakare echoed Eluwole’s sentiments, asserting that students should not return until their welfare is assured. They commended teachers at the schools for their dedication, as many continue to report to work despite the absence of students.
Principal of the Osogbo school, Kamil Hussain, along with teachers Temitayo Obadare and Temitope Olaniyi, expressed gratitude for the state government’s efforts, supportive of ongoing initiatives to address the issues at hand.
Additionally, reports have suggested that a Federal High Court order may be influencing the closure of special needs schools across Osun State, further complicating the situation.
These institutions serve students with various disabilities, providing specialized teaching, resources, and facilities tailored to their individual educational needs. The extended closure has led to increasing calls from parents and stakeholders for clarity on when the schools will reopen and for measures to ensure education continuity for affected students.
The Osun State Bureau for People with Disabilities, established under the state’s disability law, is responsible for promoting the inclusion and protection of persons with disabilities, offering access to education, and monitoring policies that affect them.
