By Guy-Bruno Maimo
The Buea School for the Deaf, BSD, has raised serious concerns over what it calls the growing neglect and hidden discrimination faced by deaf children in many Cameroonian homes. The alarm was sounded on November 27 as the South West Region launched activities ahead of the 2025 International Day for Persons with Disabilities, IDPD.
The institution’s Directress, Mrs. Margaret Lloyd Bibum, said in her address that their decades of experience show that stigma remains the principal barrier to deaf children’s education and wellbeing. She explained that “some parents still believe deaf children are a curse,” a perception that leads to punishment, rejection, and in some cases, deliberate exclusion from school. According to her, they continue to encounter situations where families prioritise the education of their hearing children while leaving the deaf child at home, even when the financial means exist, and where parents hide their deaf children out of fear of community shame. Mrs. Bibum noted that the persistence of these attitudes reflects low public awareness on deafness, stressing the need for stronger advocacy and greater involvement of local authorities and social actors to shift societal mindsets.
A major concern raised during the event was the status of Sign Language in Cameroon. While several African countries have given it official recognition, Cameroon still relies on specialised institutions to promote its use. According to Mrs. Bibum, recognising Sign Language at national level would significantly improve communication and inclusion for deaf persons.
This year’s IDPD theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” emphasizes expanding access and removing barriers. Mrs. Bibum highlighted the importance of assistive technologies in deaf education, urging the government to subsidize their cost so that all children can benefit.
Disability inclusion specialist, Penn Julius supported the call for greater investment, warning that technology-based solutions risk excluding the poor. “Most persons with disabilities live below the poverty line,” he said, arguing that without subsidies, progress will remain slow.
Founded in 2003, BSD runs primary, secondary, and vocational programmes and currently accommodates more than 127 children. However, its administration says the school continues to face shortages in trained teachers, equipment and parental engagement.
The launch ceremony was chaired by Fidelis Njie, South West Regional Delegate for Social Affairs. He said the Region chose BSD to host the event to highlight the institution’s work and the commitment of its founding couple, who are both deaf. Closing the event, the Regional Delegate urged persons with disabilities to take an active role in their advancement and not depend solely on government initiatives.
