Awards of Excellence in Inclusive Education for Students, Teachers, Disability Promoters
The Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services, in collaboration with the West Regional Delegation of Secondary Education, have recognized the contribution of individuals and schools working committedly to ensure the implementation of Inclusive Education in the West Region of Cameroon. This event took place on February 22, 2022.
Laureates included excellent students with different forms of disabilities for their outstanding academic performances, individuals with positive and significant contributions in supporting the education of students with disabilities in mainstream schools, schools for their remarkable improvement in implementing Inclusive Education, and teachers that practice inclusive teaching and learning practices in Lycee Classique and Lycee Bilingue in Bafoussam.
Disability is not inability
The awards come after the successful implementation of a two-year project dubbed, Quality Education for All (QEA), an initiative of the Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development (EDID) program of the CBC Health Services. Implemented with funds from the Liliane Foundation, the project seeks to ensure quality education for all without barriers. This pilot initiative at Lycee Classique and Lycee Bilingue in Bafoussam involved many activities, some of which included: the training of teachers in effectively developing inclusive lessons, pedagogic inspectors to always consider inclusive policies in education that favor all students and give students with disabilities an enabling and conducive environment to perform in their full potential, all disability stakeholders, and school administrators to know more about, and implement Universal Designs.
The merited awards and the enthusiasm with which the project has been embraced are testimony to the success of the pilot phase of the QEA project.
Speaking during the event, the West Regional Delegate of Social Affairs, Mr. Fidelis Njie Ewumbue commended the special support and sacrifice made over the years by the CBC Health Services, thanks to the Liliane Foundation’s support. The collaboration of his delegation with this project, he confirmed, has supported more than 600 children with disabilities. He pledged the continuous and unflinching support of his delegation to all actors and stakeholders that promote Inclusive Education in the West Region.
Addressing the participants at the event, the Director of the CBC Health Services Prof. Tih Pius Muffih appreciated the efforts of all who strive to ensure that all children with disabilities access quality education. This will go a long way to bridge the gap in education where about 30% of children with disabilities do not attend school. This action contributes to Sustainable Development Goal number 4 which calls on all state authorities to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This also ties with articles 3 and 4 of the Cameroon National Policy for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities which clearly states that no child should be refused admission into school because of their impairment. Schools are also expected to make all necessary accommodations and adaptations to facilitate the teaching and learning of students with disabilities in schools. He stressed the desire to continue to have Inclusive Education strengthened in the two pilot schools and also expand to other schools not only in the West Region but Cameroon at large. There are all hopes to have this initiative sustained through the local authorities at all levels.
Dr. Ngabnya hands an award to a visually impaired student
The occasion also gave the opportunity for the West Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, Dr. Ngabnya Francois to express his delight to have this project implemented in the West Region. The partnership to improve the education of children with disabilities, he announced, has yielded great results and has contributed to the objectives of the Cameroon Government through its Ministry of Secondary Education to educate all children without restrictions.
Awardees, especially students have expressed their zeal to continue to progress in their education and secure a better carrier for themselves in the future. They have promised to continue to be exemplary and become ambassadors to encourage all other students with disabilities to take education seriously for a better livelihood.