Administration of Special Education Services for Children with Visual Impairment in Kano State: Challenges and Prospects

This study investigates the administrative challenges and prospects in the delivery of special education services for children with visual impairment in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Effective administration of special education services requires the coordination of personnel, finances, infrastructure, and community engagement across multiple institutional levels. In Kano State, one of the most populous states in Nigeria, the administration of services for visually impaired learners faces systemic challenges that have not been comprehensively documented. Using a mixed-methods design, the study collects survey data from eighty administrators in special schools and local government education authorities, supplemented by key informant interviews with senior officials at the State Ministry of Education. Survey data are analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis is applied to interview transcripts. The study examines administrative practices in areas including teacher recruitment, Braille material procurement, school infrastructure maintenance, and inter-agency coordination. Findings are expected to highlight chronic funding shortfalls, limited administrative capacity, and poor inter-agency linkages as the primary barriers to quality service delivery. Prospects identified include growing civil society engagement and increased awareness of disability rights among community leaders. Recommendations include capacity building workshops for education administrators, development of a state-level visual impairment service delivery plan, and leveraging philanthropic partnerships to supplement government funding. Keywords: special education administration, visual impairment, Kano State, service delivery, management challenges.