The Role of National Center for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in the Protection of the Rights of the Disabled to Education in Cameroon

Abstract

Providing education for persons with disabilities is of great concern to the international community. This issue of late has been the focus of most international educational conferences. Many governments have realized its importance and are striving to attain this goal of proving inclusive education that carter for all its citizens including the disabled. A host of laws has been put in place to ensure education for persons with disabilities. Although laws exist on the protection of the right to education for persons with disabilities in Cameroon, accessibility remains an issue to be addressed. The lack of material to meet the learning needs of the disabled, in addition to the absence of a precise school curriculum to meet up the needs of handicaps. To make matters worse, disabled persons have simply been placed under the Ministry of Social Affairs whose area of jurisdiction is too vast, involving a wide range of activities. Society as a whole and parents, in particular, have a vital role to play in meeting up the education needs of the disabled.

The purpose of this study is to bring out the role played by the National Center for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) Yaoundé (Etoug-Ebe), in the protection of the right of persons living with disabilities to education.

The NCRPD is noted for its relentless efforts protecting the right of disabled persons in general and in education in particular. It makes education for persons with disabilities one of its cardinal objectives. Its creates awareness on the right of persons living with disabilities, establishes links with the communities and annually joins the international community to celebrate the world’s disability day at the NCRPD. The creating of schools at the center for disabled persons to meet up their learning needs is evident. The sources of data collection range from participant observation, interviews, library, internets and photographs. At the end of this piece of work, suggestions were given to NCRPD to improve on the measures aimed at protecting the right of disabled persons to education.