The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Tuesday, commended the Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers’ (NASET) for selfless service to pupils with special needs.

Idahosa gave the commendation when he received members of the state chapter of NASET in a courtesy visit in Benin on Tuesday.

Addressing the members led by Mr. Isaac Azuka, the deputy governor noted that the government cannot appreciate enough the good job they are doing on the special needs children.

According to the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Friday Aghedo, the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration, assured the NASET of continued support and collaboration.

“I look forward to the building of a strong relationship between the Edo State Government and your organisation.

“This visit is timely. It would help strengthen collaboration between the government and NASET,” he stated.

He said the government would look into their taea of needs, especially those that would enhance job efficiency.

Earlier, the NASET had appealed for the inclusion of pupils with special needs in the state’s educational programme.

Speaking through its leader, Isaac Azuka, the association also commended the execution of the SHINE Agenda of the governor as it concerns the education sector.

He pointed out the challenges of the association and appealed for the government’s intervention.

Azuka solicited the recruitment of caregivers and qualified special needs teachers, in addition to an appeal for a 45 percent increment in their allowances.

He disclosed that there were presently seven schools in Edo State that catered primarily to the educational empowerment of pupils with special needs.

According to him, the schools comprise five primary and two secondary.

In related development, the deputy governor played host to the leadership of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) led by Mr. Wisdom Isaac.

He assured them of government collaboration in the upcoming NYC sensitization project for Edo State aimed at ridding society of drug use and the sensitization of youths against cultism.