According to the Provost of the College, Professor Patricia Ukaigwe, the re-assessment will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in accordance with the governor's directive.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered Precious Umoru's re-assessment in order for her to begin training at the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City.
According to the Provost of the College, Professor Patricia Ukaigwe, the re-assessment will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in accordance with the governor's directive.
This comes barely 48 hours after SaharaReporters reported how Precious was denied access to education by the college despite relevant national and international laws and standards.
SaharaReporters gathered that the admission of young Precious was recently withdrawn by the school because of her disability.
SaharaReporters gathered that the admission of young Precious was recently withdrawn by the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences.
“She was denied entry into the school despite paying N335,000 in instalments, and after interviewing her — physical interview — before she was given the admission, it’s so sad,” a source in the school told SaharaReporters.
The school was established in 1954 by the then Western Region Government to train nurses who will satisfy the medical and health needs of the people.
Both national and international laws guarantee the right to education for all without discrimination.
The recently passed Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 In Nigeria provides that a person with a disability shall have an unfettered right to education without discrimination or segregation in any form.
It further stipulates that all public educational establishments shall be run to be inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities.
In 2015, Nigeria adopted the National Policy on Special Needs Education. Additionally, the Child Rights Act outlines that every child has the right to free, compulsory and basic education.
“Every child has the right to education, a right which is essential for the exercise of all other human rights,” it states.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, the victim condemned the action of the school management.
She called on Governor Godwin Obaseki and human rights organisations to come to her aid.
“Please, I need the public to join me in speaking out; I got admission into Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, I started lectures on a Monday and by Wednesday they told me to leave the school that I’m not flexible enough, that they don't want someone like me, all because I have a bent posture,” she told SaharaReporters.
“I have a right to education and Edo State College of Nursing Sciences is taking it away from me.”
But when SaharaReporters called the school on its official phone line displayed on its website, an official who answered the call said Precious should come to the school to make a complaint, adding that it is unusual for the school to withdraw the admission of any student after being issued.
According to a statement signed by the Provost of the school, Ukaigwe and issued on Tuesday, Miss Umoru was admitted to the College and was initially advised to withdraw after a preliminary assessment of her physical condition, which was not disclosed at the point of admission.
It noted that the governor, upon learning of the case, intervened and requested that another assessment be conducted and that Precious Umoru should be provided with all necessary support for her condition for the re-assessment exercise.
The Admission Committee had deemed her eligible for admission based on her cognitive function and score on the CBT exam, but upon her arrival at the school premises, the hostel manager observed that she had an unstable gait and tremors.
A meeting was called between the Counselling Department of the College and Miss. Umoru's parents, where the nature and history of her condition were reviewed to reach a fair decision on her physical fitness for the College's rigorous training.
As part of this process, a preliminary assessment was conducted which suggested that she might not be able to withstand the physical rigours of midwifery training, the statement said.
The rescheduled assessment will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023 and the public will be provided with the necessary updates on the exercise.
“We want to assure that the College will not intentionally deny anyone an opportunity to get the best training and capacity enhancement in healthcare services,” Ukaigwe said.