Inclusivity in Cameroon Education: Stakeholders conscious but not proactive

By Nchendzengang Tatah

The experience of a visually challenged student studying Communication who was addressed during lectures not to be compatible with the program is one of many mountains, physically challenged students go through across Cameroon.

They cry even louder that the educational system as a whole practically does not give equitable room for the limited abilities of the impaired who make up over 1.3 million 1of the total population.

A second-year visually impaired student at the University of Buea, Njukang Princeley, observed that there had been significant improvement from his first semester due to their consistent advocacy. It took a month for example to have their results like other students previously, but they now get it on the same day.

“I think the University is now more conscious than ever before to include persons with disabilities in its activities but also of the need to make its environment accessible,” Njukang said, noting however that, “they are conscious, it is not the same as they are doing it.”

The accessibility of the environment is listed to be the first limitation of those with physical impairment. Students with mobility impairment (move on wheelchairs, crushes) will face the challenge of getting in storey buildings. “Just the fact that the entrance into the university has compromised tar, a visually impaired person can easily huddle into a pool of water,” Njukang highlighted.

“Lecturers usually prefer oral examination during Continuous Assessment (CA), but with the use of about a quarter of the original time generating other concerns.”

As part of university culture, handouts facilitate the teaching and learning process. Not quite so for the visually impaired, laments Ndum Benis a student of International Relations. Since most times, it is printed with no effort to have them available in brail.

Students with disability at the University of Buea have an association that galvanizes their voices to use various opportunities to advance their cause. They say improvements have been noted from the outset.

“There’s still a lot that has to be done, though sometimes the University say they can’t do more than they have done because of limited financial provisions,” an executive told CNA.