Digital Education of Children with Disabilities in the Context of COVID-19: Challenges of Online Education in Lagos State

Abstract

The paper examines the digital learning provisions available to children with disabilities in Lagos state and their challenges. The author argues that technology not only offers the means to advance education, but it also creates new problems related to the right to education that must be faced and solved. Technology-based learning changes the educational tradition from conventional education to internet-based. Although the laws and policy of Lagos State, Nigeria provide for inclusive education, the non-provision of digital education for children with disabilities during crises like the COVID-19 epidemic constitute an infringement on the right to education. This study used a qualitative methodology interviewing teachers, parents, and children with disabilities, and found that the non-provision of digital education during COVID-19 created the need to assess Lagos State’s inclusive education policies, to examine the provision of contingency educational plans. This paper concludes that accessibility, affordability, flexibility, learning pedagogy, and unstable educational policies are some of the challenges that affect online education.