GCE exams for visually impaired: CBC Partners with GCE Board

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

The CBC Health Services has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with the Cameroon GCE Board in Buea to facilitate the effective writing of the GCE by students with visual impairments in Cameroon.

                The MOU was signed at the GCE Board Office in Buea recently by Prof.Tih Pius, Director of CBC Health Services, DHS, for the CBC and Mr.Monono Humphrey Ekema, Registrar of the GCE Board. 

                During the signing ceremony, the Socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities SEEPD programme also donated an EVEREST DV4 Braille printer, a laptop and braille software. According to the SEEPD Programme Manager, Ezekiel Benuh, the Braille printer was acquired for the GCE Board on the request of the GCE Board Registrar who had expressed the desire for his organization to permanently own a printer instead of the SEEPD programme always bringing one to the Board and carrying it away upon completion of the brailing of scripts of candidates with visual impairments.

                Speaking while handing over the machine, the SEEPD Programme Director and CBC Health Services Director, Prof.Tih Pius expressed his gladness to donate the machine to the GCE Board, saying it is intended to facilitate the work of the GCE Board in preparing the scripts of students with visual impairments to enable them participate effectively in GCE examinations.

                Receiving the Braille printer, the Chairman of the Cameroon GCE Board, Prof. Peter Abety said the CBCHS SEEPD Programme’s gesture was a commendable effort saying he hoped it will go a long way to do something for the visually impaired.

                Speaking before the signing of the MoU, the SEEPD Programme Education Advisor, Mrs.Fobuzie Bridget said they came up with the idea of working with the GCE Board in brailing the GCE scripts of candidates with visual impairments before the writing period to make the exams more inclusive.

                She said they were convinced that they had arrived at a point where the GCE Exams are now inclusive given the fact that candidates with visual impairments now start writing at the same time with those without impairments, thanks to the printer that has been used to brail the scripts of students with visual impairments for the past 3 years.

                According to the MOU, the SEEPD Programme will continue with its engagements in ensuring gainful participation of learners with disabilities in education while the GCE Board will ensure that its examinations consider reasonable accommodations for disability inclusivity