School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC

School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC

Some students from the Special Education Centre in Gombe, have commended the Gombe State Government, and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), over ongoing renovation of their school.

The students told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe, that the move would boost access to education for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

A NAN correspondent who visited the school, reports that there was ongoing renovation of facilities.

A visually impaired student of the Senior Secondary three class (SS3), Husseini Abubakar, said that the renovation sends a strong message of inclusion to them.

According to him, the ongoing upgrade of the school has renewed their hope in education and a better Nigeria, as emphasised by President Bola Tinubu.

“I was suprised to hear that our school is being renovated after many years of neglect.

“We had lost hope of any intervention, but see what Gombe State government and NEDC are doing; we lack words to express how we feel.

“Today, I feel that our President, Bola Tinubu’s statement of “let’s renew the hope” is being fulfilled in our school because our hope has indeed been renewed,” he said.

Another visually impaired student, Mr Ahmad Umar, noted that they use to share classrooms with junior students during the rainy season, following dilapidated classrooms.

“Some days, we prayed against rainfall so that we will not be beaten by the rain, but thank God the suffering has now ended, and a better structure is here,” he said.

He said that now, he feels relieved.

Another student with hearing disability, Mr Basesa David, who spoke through an interpreter, said he was happy that the days of cold were over

He noted that the rehabilitation of toilets facilities and regular water supply, would improve hygiene and health condition in the school.

“We are grateful, especially the female students who usually suffer severe cold from exposure and poor toilets; thank you Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and the entire leadership of NEDC,” he said

NAN reports that the school, a specialised institution in the state, was established in 1996, to cater for children with disabilities.

The renovation project, is aimed at improving access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for PWDs, who are learners in the state and the North-East.

The centre currently has a population of 615 students

School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC