At educative talk: Plan Int’l drills junior MPs on valorising inclusive education….

It was organised as part of activities of the 25th session of the Children’s Parliament in Cameroon.

The exchanges took place under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene. 180 junior MPs attended the session.

The exercise aligned with the theme of the 25th session of the children’s parliament. The theme was: “For the respect of the right to education of children, including those needing special protection measures in Cameroon: children mobilizing”.  The session which went underway on June 17 will end on June 27.

Inclusive education for a better Cameroon 

During the talk, Plan International Cameroon led by its Safeguarding and Child Protection Country Programme Lead, Foumba Honorine, equipped the young legislators to push for inclusive education.

Foumba challenged the junior lawmakers to be strong ambassadors of inclusive education at the level of their families and communities. 

The Plan Cameroon official explained that the kids have chances of influencing people to promote a society where gender, ethnic minority, race and disabilities can’t stop children’s access to quality and inclusive education.

Such efforts, Foumba and her peers said, will help tackle all forms of discriminations against girls’ rights to education which is considered one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the push for an all-inclusive education for children.

The highlighted task passed on the young legislators, the Plan Cameroon officials insisted, falls in line with the institution’s objectives which is highlighted as one of the major targets for the 25th session of the Children’s Parliament.

Foumba declared that the goal is to ensure “…young people are better informed about the benefits of appropriate and quality education for all children…,”. 

She told The Guardian Post that during exchanges, they “looked at several areas and notably talked about the different responsibilities and missions of the children in relation to their respective communities. We equipped them with what can help them talk to their peers and parents about the chosen theme and other topical issues affecting the children”.

Foumba underscored that children must understand that “gender, disabilities, race and ethnic minorities are not barriers and every child has the right to education no matter wherever he or she is”.

She reaffirmed Plan International Cameroon’s commitment to continue being close to the youngsters to ensure that they get answers to their worries wherever and whenever possible.  

Junior MPs commit to Plan Cameroon’s challenge 

Speaking to the press in separate interviews after Friday’s event, the junior parliamentarians whose ages ranges from nine to 19, said they are fully committed to take on the challenge from Plan Cameroon.

Hon Ekotto Medja Jordan Pense, from Sangmelima in the Dja and Lobo Division of the South Region said the Plan Cameroon talk equipped him with clear directions. 

He vowed to stop at nothing in ensuring that children’s education is given proper attention. 

“We will sensitize our communities on issues like children’s education even at the level of the families because we have noticed that most children are getting upset. They think their parents are neglecting their education without considering the fact that it will affect them in the future,” the 17-year-old said. 

Hon Ekotto Medja further remarked that: “What Plan has done is going to help us a lot because it has equipped us with specific points clearly highlighting what we have to touch on”.

Sensitisation the way out

Hon Samjeh Lourdes Zinkah of the Mezam Division of the North West Region in her outing with the press, said she will concentrate on “sensitizing and encouraging Persons Living With Disabilities and studying in the North West Region to actively participate in school activities so that they can express themselves freely”. 

According to the youngster, she will use the knowledge gathered from the Plan Cameroon talk in also working on “…encouraging the government to build inclusive schools across the country that will notably consider the needs of persons living with disabilities”.

Plan International Cameroon was part of a heavyweight team of international bodies and non-governmental organisations that accompanied the Ministry of Social Affairs in the activities of the 25th session of the Children’s Parliament.

Other institutions present are some five agencies of the United Nations Organisation including the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3148 of Monday June 24, 2024