Douala: Ecobank donates ICT tools, didactics to enhance inclusive education.

The gesture, officials said, was part of activities marking Ecobank Day 2025. It was celebrated in Cameroon on Wednesday, November 26.

The ceremony was attended by Littoral Regional and administrative authorities, parents, teachers, and community members.

Officials said the event highlighted the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, priority this year under the theme: “Education for All, Building a More Inclusive Society”.

Inclusion at heart of Ecobank values 

According to the Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon and CEMAC Cluster Head, Gwendolyn Abunaw, the donation aligns with Ecobank Group’s longstanding commitment to inclusion, equality, and community development.

She explained that Ecobank Day, celebrated annually across all 35 African countries where bank operates, is not just symbolic but a deliberate opportunity for staff to volunteer in addressing social challenges. 

This year’s theme, she said, is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of education when accessible to all.

“Inclusive education is not charity, it is empowerment. It is about giving every child the tools to participate meaningfully in society,” she stated.

The MD added that: “As a pan-African bank, we believe that investing in human capital is the most sustainable way to build a prosperous continent”.

She further noted that Ecobank’s choice of an inclusive school is intentional, highlighting the bank’s desire to support children who are often overlooked in mainstream development efforts.

The MD encouraged teachers to continue their often-demanding work with dedication. Abunaw reminded them that the children under their care possess enormous potential that can flourish with the right support.

A lifeline for school serving vulnerable children

Speaking during the ceremony, the school’s director, Martial Mbebi, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the institution’s staff and pupils to Ecobank. 

Mbebi said the donation would significantly improve learning conditions for children living with disabilities. He emphasised that GIPS Bali receives learners with varying physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, most of whom require tailored teaching aids, specialized seating, and a supportive learning environment. These demands, Mbebi said, are not always available due to limited resources and limited public funding.

“Our mission is to ensure that no child, regardless of disability, is left behind. Today, Ecobank has strengthened our capacity to fulfill that mission,” the director said.

Mbebi took the audience on a journey through the legacy of the Government Inclusive Primary School of Bali, highlighting its longstanding role in Cameroon's education landscape. 

He noted that the school was established in 1952 as the École Principale de Bali and later split into Groupe I and Groupe II in 1960, with a separate primary school. 

Today, he added, the complex spans 3,000 square meters and accommodates 1,028 pupils, including 98 children with special educational needs, 55 of whom have confirmed disabilities.

Among the learners, Mbebi said are: seven typologies; hearing, speech, visual impairments, autism, intellectual disabilities, and others.

The director emphasised the school’s strategic position in inclusive education. 

When the government, in 2015, created the first 68 inclusive schools nationwide, Bali was selected among the pioneers in Wouri Division, reflecting its excellence and commitment to inclusive pedagogy, Mbebi sated.

He explained that at that time, the school lacked adequate practical teaching tools, despite having experienced and committed teachers capable of delivering quality education.