Designing an Inclusive ECD Policy for Children with Special Needs in Kano State

An inclusive early childhood policy that ensures children with special needs access quality ECD services in Kano State is both a rights-based obligation and a developmental investment, and designing it addresses a significant policy gap in North West Nigeria. This study designed an inclusive ECD policy for children with special needs in Kano State, drawing on a prevalence assessment of special needs in ECD-aged children across 4 LGAs, structured consultations with 20 ECD administrators, 12 special education specialists, and 6 disability advocacy representatives, and review of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 and national ECCE Policy provisions. Assessment confirmed that children with developmental disabilities or delays were enrolled in mainstream ECD in only 23 percent of cases, that no LGA had an inclusion support system for ECD, and that teacher attitudes toward inclusion were mixed. The policy designed specifies access provisions, inclusive classroom standards, staffing requirements including itinerant support teachers, family engagement rights, annual review mechanisms, and monitoring indicators. Implementation guidance including a teacher attitude change programme is provided. Expert review by 12 specialists confirmed the policy's legal alignment and operational coherence. Recommendations include the Kano State Ministry of Education adopting the policy through an executive instrument, establishing an Inclusive ECD Resource Centre in Kano Metropolis, and NIPSON partnering with the state for teacher training.

Keywords: inclusive ECD policy, children with special needs, Kano State, disability inclusion, early childhood