top of page

Friends of Buea School For The Deaf Inc.

Backgrounder: Access to Education for Deaf Students in Cameroon

Updated: Oct 30


Why does access to education for deaf students matter?


Approximately 80% of the world's children with debilitating hearing loss have no access to education (Murray, Hall, & Snoddon, 2019). In Cameroon, thousands of deaf children are excluded from receiving a formal education due to systemic barriers and a lack of inclusive infrastructure. The current lack of access to education for deaf students in Cameroon severely undermines their earning potential and right to equal opportunity.


Students of Buea School For The Deaf hold poster showcasing 100% FSLC and GCEO/L scores, a vast improvement and show of exceptionalism.
Students of Buea School For The Deaf hold poster showcasing 100% FSLC and GCEO/L scores, a vast improvement and show of exceptionalism.

Historical Overview


Cameroon has taken steps to reconcile this inequality and ratified legislation aimed at protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including children with hearing impairments. Key legislative milestones include:

  • 1998 Education Framework Act reinforced inclusive education policies.

  • Law No. 2010/002 specifically affirms the rights of persons with disabilities, including exemption from school fees in public institutions.


Despite legislative reforms, the limited enforcement of these laws continues to hinder progress (ERIC, 2017). A study focusing on the Buea School for the Deaf (BSD) in Cameroon revealed that no schools for the deaf in Cameroon had ever exceeded a 20% passing rate in official exams at the time. This phenomenon is attributed to the exclusive nature of language-based curriculum, which does not accommodate sign language, subsequently excluding deaf students from

learning (Commonwealth of Learning, 2019).


The Current State of Access to Education for Deaf Students in Cameroon


Despite the efforts of government and nonprofit organizations such as Friends of the Buea School for the Deaf (FoBSD), access to education for deaf students in Cameroon remains severely restricted. Infrastructure, human resources, geographical inequity, and language policy gaps all contribute.

  • Infrastructure: There are just over 30 schools for the deaf, many of which are privately operated and financially out of reach for low-income families (Commonwealth of Learning, 2019).

  • Human Resources: A critical shortage of trained teachers and sign language interpreters limits the quality of instruction. Many educators lack the necessary training to support students with hearing impairments (Ajongakou, 2022).

  • Geographical Inequality: Educational facilities for the deaf are unevenly distributed, leaving rural regions underserved (CERSOM, 2024).

  • Language Policy Gaps: Cameroon lacks a standardized national sign language, leading to communication barriers within the education system (Kentalis, 2023).


Limited access to education perpetuates the marginalization of the deaf community and reduces employment opportunities in communities already facing hardship. Parents face emotional and financial strain trying to secure education for their children. Many parents simply can not provide

access to a quality education for their deaf children despite their best efforts. If unaddressed, gaps in access will continue to exacerbate poverty and inequality in Cameroon. Investing in inclusive education and teacher training could lead to improved literacy, social integration, and economic contribution from people who are hearing impaired.

 

Combating inequality from abroad, Friends of Buea School for the Deaf

 

Friends of Buea School for the Deaf (FoBSD) is a nonprofit based in Maryland, USA, that supports the Buea School for the Deaf in Cameroon. BSD is a private school that has become a model for inclusive and affordable deaf education in the region. FoBSD has provided critical resources to maintain the operations of the school, ensuring access to quality education for hundreds of deaf students for over two decades.


FoBSD provides:

  • Tuition subsidies

  • Literacy and vocational skills training

  • Support for teacher training and development


FoBSD continues to raise awareness and mobilize resources to expand access to deaf education in Cameroon. We urge you to join the fight against education inequality. To learn more about how you can support Buea School for the Deaf, visit https://www.fobsd.org/ or contact us today.


References

1. Ajongakou, S. T. (2022). Teachers’ perceptions of inclusive education in Cameroon:

Challenges and strategies. African Journal of Social Sciences and Management Theory.

2. CERSOM. (2024). Situation of Deaf People in Cameroon. Retrieved from

3. Commonwealth of Learning. (n.d.). Deaf education and language-based curriculum.

Retrieved from

4. Commonwealth of Learning. (2019). Access to education for deaf students in Cameroon.

Retrieved from

5. ERIC. (2017). The implementation gap in Cameroon’s inclusive education policy.

6. Kentalis International Foundation. (2023). Cameroon: Teaching literacy to deaf children.

Retrieved from

7. Murray, J. J., Hall, W. C., & Snoddon, K. (2019). Education and health of children with

hearing loss: The necessity of signed languages. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health,

8. Wonkam-Tingang, E., Noubiap, J. J. N., Fokouo, J. V. F., Oluwole, O. G., Nguefack, S.,

Chimusa, E. R., & Wonkam, A. (2020). Hearing impairment overview in Africa: The case

of Cameroon. Genes, 11(2), 233. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11020233

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page