TheCable

Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA) has appealed to Chukwuma Soludo, governor of the state, to allow students with albinism to wear caps to schools to prevent skin cancer.

Ugochukwu Okeke, state chairperson of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), made the appeal in Awka, the state capital, during the 2023 albinism celebration.

He said the government should also consider allowing students with albinism to sit in front seats in their respective classes for easy accessibility of lessons on class boards and wearing long-sleeved uniforms.

“We are calling on the state government through the ministry of education to make conscious efforts to include the people living with albinism in schools because some of them are not coming out due to these challenges,” Okeke said.

“There is a need to make them sit in the front rows (seats) of their respective classes. This should be a policy that will be implemented in all schools; primary, secondary and tertiary.

“You know that this will help them to easily access the class board. Also, there should be a policy to allow them to wear long sleeves to cover their skin very well to prevent exposure to sun and cancer.

“Scholarships should be made available to encourage them further their education where possible.”

Victor Ezeonwumelu, a lecturer from the department of psychology at Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, enjoined people living with albinism to be confident and acquire education to overcome discrimination and other challenges in society.

Before this, Vivian Ezeonwumelu, chairperson of ASAA, said the challenges confronting members of the group include vision problems, high risk of skin cancer and discrimination.

He implored them to seek opportunities, particularly in the area of education in order to survive the challenges.