The
Cameroon Baptist Convention CBC Education Board has launched a project “to
achieve an inclusive education system which can respond to diverse needs of
pupils and students within the framework of universal design for learning.”
The
project baptized Sustainable Inclusive Education Project saw the light of day
Thursday April 5 in an event that also featured the first project stakeholders
meeting.
Speaking
during the dual event, the Director of Administration and Finance for the CBC Health
Services on behalf of the Director of CBC Health Services who is also
Chairperson of the Stakeholders committee explained that his institution as
part of the CBC has opted to partner with the Education Board following the
need to increase access to quality inclusive education for children with
disabilities. Wari Denis added that the project will be funded by the CBC
Health Service in partnership with the Netherland based Liliane Fondation with
the hope of achieving the project goals.
While
presenting the project, the Project officer noted that the pilot phase will
internalize inclusion in the Baptist Education System as a way of supporting
the government of Cameroon in her current thrives for inclusive education in the
country particularly at the time much of government effort is focused on
availability and affordability. To guarantee sustainability, Dr Naphthali Atanga
indicated that the pilot phase of the project will involve primary and
secondary schools of the CBC and most importantly the Baptist Teacher Training
College Ndop to ensure the training of teachers.
Coming
within the Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development EDID program with
the Liliane foundation as a strategic partner organization, Agho nee Tsangue
Glory EDID program Manager told the stakeholders that her program was
partnering with the Education Board to expand the scoop of their work mindful
of the fact that they had been working before now with public schools and with
the CBC Education Board being a faith base organization with a good number of
schools and pupils under their care.
Introducing
the project team, the Project Director who doubles as Secretary of the CBC
Education Board said the project which supports government’s efforts is in line
with the sustainable development goals adding “The CBC has been handling the
issue of inclusive education through government institutions but this time
around we have decided to use our own institutions.” Nyanganji Job maintained
that the concept is not new and that starting now is because it’s the time to
start. “It is never too late to start a project and we want that children who
come to our own school should also benefit from inclusive education.” He
concluded.
Launching
the project the representative of different government ministries connected to
the project Wilson Baniyeh Ngam of the Ministry of Basic Education Regional
Delegation for the NW appreciated the CBC Education Board for opting to assist
government in ensuring and inclusive educational system in the country. He
promised collaboration to make the project succeeds.
Wari
Denis for the CBC Health services Director appreciated all with the call for
all stakeholders to own the project and be committed to contributing to its
success. Being a pilot phase of the project, he expressed the need for
commitment, accountability and best practices to proof the workability of the
model and to add value on the lives of persons with disabilities.