Azore Opio
5 September 2008
Decision No. 000055/MINESUP/DDES/PEEX dated August 19, 2008 establishing the Entrance Examination into the 2nd Cycle of Ecole Normale Superieure and Decision No.000056/MINESUP/DDES/PEEX dated August 19, 2008 Entrance Examination into the 1st Cycle of Ecole Normale Superieure of the University of Maroua has come under scathing scrutiny.
According to the ministerial decisions, candidates with "disability, particularly those with speech, hearing, seeing and mobility disabilities should not apply even if they are qualified."
The worst case scenario is the rejection based on the decrees, of a blind university girl, Wirba Amshatu, who graduated from the Faculty of Education of the University of Buea last year with an honours degree.
Wirba was first denied entry into the Ecole Normale Superieure of Yaounde. Then she reapplied and sat the entrance examination into Ecole Normale Superieure of Yaounde again this year.
The deadline for registration is running out and Wirba isn't sure of her fate.It is in this light that two NGOs with sympathy towards the disabled - Disability Rehabilitation and Life Animation, DRELA, headed by Charles Nguyap and Cameroon Deaf Empowerment Organisation, CDEO, headed by Ogock Ebot Ntui, have petitioned the Minister of Higher Education.
Represented by Shufai Blaise Sevidzem Berinyuy of Taku Chambers, Buea, the petitioners are beseeching the Minister to nullify the aforementioned decisions and issue fresh conditions that would enable not only Wirba to further her education, but also other disabled people who might be qualified.
They argue that maintaining the above decisions would tantamount to justifying the failure of many other disabled people.The petitioners also call on the Minister to shift the deadline registration accordingly for equal chance.
Arguing that the decisions are a denial of human rights to disabled citizens, the petitioners urge the Minister thus, for the following urgent remedies; an order to nullify the above-cited ministerial decisions on grounds of illegality; an order issuing fresh conditions for entrance examinations into Ecole Normale Superieure specifically stating that disabled Cameroonians who qualify may register; an order that the deadline for registration be shifted accordingly so that the disabled my be given a chance to register; an order that the above decisions be given the widest publicity by the media and for any further order(s) you shall deem apposite and legal in the circumstances.
Served the Minister on August 26, 2008, the petition also notifies that failure of the petitioned party to comply within the legal grace period, the petitioners would sue with a specified amount not less than FCFA 100,000,000, jointly and severally.
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