Education, a fundamental right in Cameroon

The right to education has been universally recognized since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and since then it has been enshrined in various international conventions, national constitutions and development plans. In Cameroon, the President of the Republic, President Paul Biya has left an indelible mark as he has created an enabling environment that has favoured the sprout of schools in every nook and cranny of the country; making it accessible and available for all Cameroonians.  A good dose of government support has even render government primary education free of charge in the entire national territory. 

Cognizant of the benefits education procures in developing human personality and individual talent, in building a sense of dignity and self-worth, in increasing mental and physical ability, in promoting understanding, tolerance, friendship in groups and in maintaining peace, the President of the Republic of Cameroon has time without number reminded the youths that they are the future of tomorrows Cameroon and education is a powerful tool through which they should economically and socially  lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully as citizens. In the domain of higher education, Cameroon has shifted from the one state university in the yesteryears to boast today of a good number of state universities and professional schools spread across its ten regions. The most recent created this year are the Faculty of Medicines and Biomedical Sciences  in Garoua and the  Higher Teachers Training College of Bertoua, all placed under the auspices of the University of Ngaoundere. On the 24th November 2017 President Biya created the Higher Polytechnic Institute of the University of Bamenda, the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the University of Buea, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Dschang and the Higher Technical Teachers Training College of the University of Yaounde 1 in Ebolowa. Just to name these few. 

Despite the fact that education is a fundamental human rights where every individual irrespective of race,  gender, age, ethnic, religion or political preference must have access, there  exist a chunk of children of school going age who cannot thread the path to school not because of lack of educational infrastructures or ill health but for fear of been tortured, whipped and to an extent killed by unidentified persons who through brainwashing and unorthodox methods  threatens children and teachers in schools in some parts of the North West and South West regions. In this awful scenario, the hardest hit is on the vulnerable children who are now lacking in their capacity. 

While addressing Cameroonians in his 2018 New Year speech, President Biya was not indifferent. He regretted the fact that some of his young compatriots are not able to acquire knowledge. To resolve this, he has put in place strategies through the creation of committees who storms the field to sensitize the population and create awareness necessary to make the masses understand that failure in educational attainment is crucial for the development of every nation and will enhance social misconduct, poverty and ignorance which is not a good footing for any country that aims to attain emergence by 2035. 

AWML