Teachers in the West Region of Cameroon trained to promote Inclusion in Education
The CBC Health Services’ Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development (EDID) Program is currently undertaking the training of teachers drawn from Lycée Classique and Lycée Bilingue de Bafoussam in the West Region of Cameroon, on Inclusive Education.
The theme of the training “Including all Learners in Teaching and Learning Practices”, aims at enhancing the capacities of these teachers for effective inclusionary practices. The 3-day workshop from December 2-4, 2020 was officially opened by the Representative of the Regional Delegate Mr. Kouam Gaston, Sub Director of General Affairs at the Regional Delegation of Secondary Education.
In his opening address, he reiterated that education is the right for all children, and Inclusive Education has come to stay. This he added is emphasized in the Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is to ensure inclusive and equitable Quality Education for all. To ensure the attainment of this Goal, children with disabilities must not be left behind in education. In Cameroon, children with disabilities are left behind in education. The reasons for this low performance as revealed by an assessment conducted in 2018 include non-adapted circular, lack of trained teachers, inaccessible environment, negative attitudes, limited stakeholder involvement, lack of resource rooms, and limited assistive devices for learners with disabilities. Thanks to the efforts of the Cameroon government, several laws and policies have been enacted to facilitate the practice of inclusive education.
The partnership of the Regional Delegation of Secondary Education with the EDID program to foster Inclusive Education in the two schools is thanks to the Liliane Foundation support under the Quality Education for All Project.
During these three days, the teachers are empowered on International and National Instruments Supporting Inclusive Education, The reason for Inclusive Education, Teaching students with impairments, Learning Styles, Universal design for learning, Sign Language Taster, Braille Taster amongst others. The training has Mrs. Fobuzie Bridget, Inclusive Education Adviser as the main facilitator.
