March 27, 2026, marked a milestone in inclusive education with the launch of the “Promoting the Right to Education for Learners with Disabilities in Cameroon”. This is a groundbreaking project by the CBC Health Services through the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SEEPD) Program and Christian Blind Mission (CBM). The initiative champions the inclusion of learners with disabilities in Cameroon’s Northwest Region, supporting Cameroon’s National Policy on Inclusive Education and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).
The project will run from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028 beginning in the Northwest region in 7 primary schools and 7 secondary schools with Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Bamenda being the starting point for the implementation. The project aims at strengthening Inclusive Educational Systems ensuring learners with disabilities as well as crisis-affected learners gain access to quality education ensuring an equitable and supportive learning environment at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
Mr Ngum Samuel, Director of Health Services, highlighted the organization’s commitment to advocating for persons living with disabilities through the SEEPD Program. He said, “This project reaffirms the CBCHS commitment to improving sustainable development growth, seeking to ensure inclusive, equitable quality education for all”. The DHS pointed out that through these efforts, thousands of children with disabilities have gained access to quality education, and many of them are now living transformed lives, studying in universities, contributing to their communities, providing for their families, and proving that disability is not inability.
With these initiatives, the DHS noted that the CBC Health Services will continue to position herself as a key player in the education sector, working hand-in-hand with the government and partners to ensure that no child is left behind. The Director of Health Services extended appreciation to all partners of the CBC Health Services whose commitment has made this journey possible, specifically recognising The Christian Blind Mission (CBM), a longstanding partner of this organisation. “Let us strengthen coordination, share knowledge, and resources, so that together, we can create an education system where every child, regardless of their ability or inability, has an opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” he concluded.
Why this Project Matters!
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Longla Bridget emphasized that the project’s focus on inclusivity, stating, “It’s not just about disability, but for children experiencing trauma, displacement, and marginalization to obtain their basic rights. Inclusive education is a strategy towards achieving an inclusive society”. She stated that through this project they are committed to inclusive education as a matter of social justice and human rights, highlighting how often people tend to see inclusive education as optional. Dr. Longla Briget also threw light on the negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities, which result in stigmatization and stereotyping.
The Project Coordinator highlighted that without an intended systematic action that is targeted to support this group of learners, learning outcomes will become very poor, for learners with disabilities in particular. Dr. Longla Briget emphasised that this project is not a CBC Health Services Project, but is a project supporting the government in the implementation of Cameroon’s National Policy on Inclusive Education, also being guided by the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goal 4, which focuses on quality inclusive education for all. “There is no child that is not educable. We should know that inclusive education is a strategy towards achieving an inclusive society,” she said.
This project aims at addressing four key factors; Access to education by improving enrolment, retention and meaningful participation of children with disabilities, inclusive education practices through training of teachers, stakeholders and school authorities to effectively instil inclusivity in the educational system, integrating psychological Support to learners affected by socio-political crisis to ensure learning continuity, and address inaccessible school infrastructure and provide resources such as assistive devices and as well as address overcrowded classrooms that hinder learning for children with disabilities.
Northwest Regional Delegates of Basic Education, Mr. Gohla Njodzeka, and Secondary Education Mr. Baijong Ezekiel Ndifon, expressed delight in the project’s alignment with government initiatives and acknowledged the importance of supporting learners with disabilities. Both officials also acknowledged that the law on education states clearly the right to education for all.
CBM Country Director’s representative, Madame Mispa Teboh, reaffirmed CBM’s commitment to promoting inclusive education and human rights for persons with disabilities. She said CBM looks at education as a fundamental human right by showcasing their commitment to inclusive education, demonstrated through imbedding inclusive education in all developments, that is all inclusive development initiative. These include removing educational barriers, and supporting learners and teachers in the teaching and learning process.
The project seeks to benefit 31,201 learners with and without disabilities, which includes 716 learners, 189 teachers, school leaders, Education authorities, parents/caregivers, Councils and OPDs. The key areas of action are; Strengthening teacher capacity in inclusive education and universal design for learning, Expanding accessible learning materials and assistive technologies. Strengthening the Regional Inclusive Resource centre, Improving physical accessibility in schools, Promoting community awareness and policy engagement and, Supporting inclusive examination and transition pathways with the GCE Board and the University of Bamenda.
The symbolic launch marked a new chapter in inclusive education in #Cameroon. Officially launched by the representative of the President of the Regional Assembly, Rev. Prof. Anyambod Emmanuel Anye, who encouraged a shared commitment intellectually and financially for success in Inclusive Education. “From basic up to tertiary education let no child be left behind,” he emphasized. The ceremony saw representatives from the Public Independent Conciliator, GCE Board, University of Bamenda, Resource Centres, Municipal Councils, NGOs, INGOs, and Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, join hands to ensure all learners have access to inclusive education. The take home message, “Don’t ask what is in it for me but what’s in me for it” bonded the stakeholders to join hands to make this project a successful one.
