Olive Ejang Tebug Ngoh
21 September 2007
Disabled children and children born of needy disabled parents have been admitted for free into government colleges in Meme Division.
This was the result of a joint Ministerial circular No. 283/07/LC/MINESEC/MINAS of August 14, 2007 relating to the identification of disabled children and children of needy disabled parents, and their enrolment into government colleges and high schools.
Unlike last year, this year's release focuses on the census of disabled children and children of needy disable parents in examination classes for assistance.Speaking to The Post, the Meme Divisional Delegate for Social Affairs, Aaron Nimbom Yong, said more than 43 disabled children and children of needy disabled parents have been enrolled into Meme public secondary and high schools.
He said before the enrolment, his Delegation assessed the student to ensure that he or she has 50 percent disability. Nimbom explained that according to Law No 83/13 of 21/07/83, relating to the protection of disabled persons, the students are expected to hand in non-stamped application forms to his office, copy of birth certificate, a report card and a medical certificate obtained from his Delegation free of charge.
The Delegate stated that he would then forward the forms to schools for possible admission. Though he said principals of government colleges are cooperative, he intimated that some are reluctant to admit disabled children.
Nimbom also said he has sent forms to principals of colleges and high schools to identify the number of disabled children sitting for official examinations, which would be forwarded to his Ministry for possible assistance. He, however, lamented that he is still struggling for the admission of some students who handed their documents after the August 15 deadline.
Appreciating this year's circular, the Delegate said it has gone along way to instill national solidarity with disabled children and children born of disabled parents. He said since disabled children are placed in a disadvantaged position, they would now have equal opportunities to education like able children.
The President of Meme Divisional Association of the Physically Handicapped, Aya Takang, has sent congratulatory messages to both the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Secondary Education for the largess.
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