BARRIERS TO INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY PRIMARY SCHOOLS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The diversity and unique contribution of persons living with disabilities in the general classroom is one of the major drive for inclusive education. Inclusive education helps persons living with disability find a place of acceptance in the society. Education is vital to the development of every individual in society despite their age, race, tribe, ability and disability. Education is a basic human right which every individual should access. The purpose of education is to acquire skills, information and knowledge. Inclusion is pivotal for the development of the society. The emergence of the concept of inclusive education has captured the attention of international and local stakeholders in education. This paper examines and discusses the barriers affecting persons living with disability in Federal Capital Territory primary schools, Nigeria. Irrespective of the importance attached to inclusive education, there are barriers that still limit the successful adoption and implementation of inclusive education. It is for this reason that this paper seeks to analyse some of these barriers. Using a secondary source of data, this paper critically analyses some issues such as inadequate infrastructure, inexperience special educators, societal discrimination, lack of access to public funding that affects implementing inclusive education in Federal Capital Territory primary schools. This paper also discusses the various barriers to inclusive education and its effect on persons living with disability as they lack basic resources to access the society. This paper concludes by proffering solutions to barriers affecting implementation of inclusive education in Federal Capital Territory primary schools, Nigeria.