SUBEB Kano Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Education as Deaf Associations Seek Strategic Partnership

By Jamila Garba/JB Danlami

The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education, assuring persons with special needs of the board’s readiness to collaborate in promoting equitable access to learning across Kano State.

This assurance was given by the Board Secretary, Hajiya Amina Umar, who represented the Executive Chairman of SUBEB during a courtesy visit by the Association of the Deaf and the Sign Language Interpreters Association of Kano State.

Hajiya Amina Umar stated that SUBEB remains open and willing to work with persons with special needs, adding that the board already operates a dedicated unit responsible for addressing issues affecting such groups. She assured the visiting associations of the board’s support in all possible areas aimed at strengthening inclusive education.

On the issue of recruitment, she explained that SUBEB adheres strictly to a benchmark system that every candidate must meet before being considered for employment, noting that the quality of teachers is critical to achieving improved learning outcomes in schools. She therefore advised applicants who either missed the recruitment examination or did not meet the required benchmark to await future opportunities.

She further assured the associations that all proposals presented during the visit would be formally communicated to the Executive Chairman. In addition, she encouraged the associations to collaborate and form synergy with other groups of persons with similar disabilities, stressing that engaging as a unified body would enhance effectiveness and ease collaboration with the board.

Earlier, representatives of the Association of the Deaf and the Sign Language Interpreters Association of Kano State, led by their spokesperson Malam Sani Isyaku, explained that the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration with SUBEB to advance inclusive teaching and learning in public schools.

The associations emphasized the need for the recruitment of deaf persons and qualified sign language interpreters in future SUBEB recruitment exercises, as a way of addressing persistent communication barriers faced by thousands of deaf individuals in educational and public settings.

They also appealed to the board to give special consideration to deaf candidates who participated in the recently concluded recruitment examination, even if they did not meet the stipulated pass mark, in order to allow them contribute meaningfully to the education sector.

As part of proposed collaboration, the associations suggested the engagement of certified sign language interpreters for official meetings, programmes, and public engagements of SUBEB.

They further advocated for the introduction of sign language as a core subject in schools, noting that early exposure would promote inclusivity, awareness, and effective communication among learners.