Date: November 28-30, 2023

Theme: Fostering Inclusion and Equity in Education in Nigeria

Welcome to the Annual Inclusive Education Conference, a pivotal event aimed at advancing inclusive education practices in Nigeria. We recognize that building a high-quality, inclusive, and equitable school system is a shared goal, and this conference serves as a platform to address the practical challenges in achieving it.

About the Conference

While the Nigerian government has made significant strides in formulating inclusive education policies, the key challenge lies in translating these policies into real-world classrooms. This conference is dedicated to bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

We believe that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals' vision of high-quality, inclusive education requires a focus on the education workforce and governance. Key areas of emphasis include:

  • Effective Financial Management: Ensuring equitable investment in education and addressing disparities.
  • Recruitment and Retention: Overcoming challenges related to teacher qualifications, attendance, and absenteeism.
  • Professional Development: Equipping teachers to support marginalized students, including girls and those with disabilities.
  • Accountability Structures: Ensuring transparency and accountability in learning outcomes for all pupils.
  • Quality School Leadership: Recognizing the impact of school leaders on teaching practices and collaboration among educators.

Our work in school leadership aims to develop leaders capable of fostering inclusive, gender-sensitive classrooms that cater to all students.

The British Council strongly advocates for the inclusion of all children and young people, including those with special educational needs (SEN), in their respective education systems as a fundamental human right. To achieve this, we promote a multi-tiered approach addressing policy, practice, and culture at all levels of the education system.

Conference Objectives

  • The British Council Schools Connect is bringing together a diverse group of education stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, educators, private-sector education practitioners, and organizations, with the following objectives:
  • Raise Awareness: Promote awareness of SEND (Special Educational Needs) and inclusive education in Nigeria.
  • Share Effective Practices: Facilitate the sharing of effective practices for supporting students with SEND in educational settings.
  • Promote Collaboration: Encourage collaboration and networking among stakeholders in the SEND and education sectors.
  • Develop Recommendations: Generate recommendations for improving the quality of education for students with SEND in Nigeria.

 Conference Participants

  • Senior Government Stakeholders: Representatives from Federal and State Education Ministries and relevant Ministries and agencies.
  • Development Partners: Key partners actively contributing to inclusive education.
  • Inclusive/Special Education Practitioners: Both from the private and public sectors.
  • Selected School Leaders: Including those from special and mainstream schools.

Conference Sub-themes

The conference will explore a range of topics related to SEND and inclusive education, including:

  • Identifying and Assessing Students with SEND: Early identification, intervention, and building multi-disciplinary assessment teams.
  • Supporting Students with SEND in Mainstream Classrooms: Balancing the learning needs of students in integrated classrooms.
  • Inclusive Teaching Practices: Creating inclusive classroom environments, adapting materials, providing differentiated instruction, and assessing learning.
  • Differentiated Instruction: Supporting participants in differentiating instruction for students with SEND and all learners.
  • Overcoming Barriers to Learning: Strategies to address barriers such as poverty, language, disability, and discrimination.
  • Policy and Advocacy for Students' Rights: Exploring policies and advocacy initiatives for students with SEND.
  • Conference Activities: The conference will feature a variety of engaging activities, including plenary sessions, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes of this conference include:

  • Increased awareness of inclusive education in Nigeria, with a focus on SEND.
  • Enhanced knowledge of effective inclusive practices for supporting students in educational settings, including those with SEND.
  • Successful engagement of Federal and State stakeholders to support the improvement and promotion of inclusive practices in Nigeria, with a focus on marginalized children and students with SEND needs.
  • Establishment of a basis for ongoing collaboration by enabling networking between inclusive education, SEND, and wider education sector stakeholders.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, November 28 – Thursday, November 30, 2023

Venue: Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel), Abuja.

Join us in this journey towards a more inclusive and equitable education system in Nigeria.

Together, we can make a difference.