Stakeholders Call for Greater Investment in Teacher Training to Improve Mathematics Education for Visually Impaired Learners

Stakeholders have called for increased investment in teacher training, accessible learning resources and assistive technologies to improve Mathematics education for learners with visual impairment across Nigeria.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Executive Director of the Resource Centre for the Blind (RCB), Mrs. Temitayo Ayinla, following a three-day Train-the-Trainers workshop on inclusive Mathematics education held in Lagos.

Ayinla said well-trained teachers remain critical to achieving equitable and inclusive education, urging governments and development partners to prioritise specialised Mathematics instruction for learners with visual impairment.

According to her, the workshop equipped resource teachers with practical skills in accessible Mathematics instruction, specialised teaching methodologies and the use of assistive instructional devices designed to support visually impaired learners.

She noted that many learners with visual impairment continue to encounter significant barriers to effective Mathematics education due to inadequate specialised teaching materials, limited access to assistive devices and insufficient teacher preparation.

Ayinla said these challenges adversely affect academic performance and restrict opportunities for learners to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields.
She stressed that sustained investment in teacher capacity development is essential to expanding access to quality inclusive education.

The RCB Executive Director also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, educational institutions and civil society organisations to improve access to inclusive teaching resources and ensure continuous professional development for teachers.

According to her, providing equal access to quality Mathematics education for learners with visual impairment is vital to advancing educational inclusion, strengthening human capital development and promoting national growth.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to inclusive education through policies and programmes that support persons with disabilities.

She said enhancing teachers’ capacity would enable learners with visual impairment to develop analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through effective Mathematics instruction.

Oyetunde-Lawal added that LASODA had secured additional examination time for candidates with disabilities during Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations and continued to support inclusive schools with educational materials.

The stakeholders emphasised that sustained investment in teacher development and accessible educational resources remains key to ensuring that learners with visual impairment receive quality Mathematics education and equal opportunities to succeed academically and professionally.