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VIII - EDUCATION, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
A. Education, including Vocational Training and Guidance (Article 11)
The laws and regulations that govern education are, to a large extent, in line with
the Charter. Cameroon acknowledges the right of all its citizens to education and
instruction without discrimination. The public authorities have taken permanent measures
to guarantee equal access to education for all. Currently, the gross enrolment rate for girls
is 71per cent as compared to 81per cent for boys. Some of the measures taken is the
launching by MINEDUC of a national campaign to promote girls education, and the
preparation of a strategy paper for implementation.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, MINAS, deals with school placements and gives
scholarships to destitute children and children from poor homes. Children with disabilities
or whose parents have disabilities, receive the same benefits in accordance with law
83/013 of 21 July 1983 on the protection of disabled persons, and decree no, 90/1516 of
26 November, 1990 establishing the procedure for the implementation of the Act.
The Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP) is in charge of
employment and vocational training. It has two types of training structures: the SAR/SM
and the rapid vocational training centres.
The Cameroonian Government has also taken steps to enhance the mechanisms
for assisting children through:
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The establishment in 2002 of a youth secretariat within the Ministry of Youth
and Sports, and in 2004, the creation of a Ministry of Youth by decree no.
2004/320;
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The preparation of a national policy framework document on the integral
development of the young child as part of the 2003-2007 UNICEF-Cameroon
Cooperation Programme;
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Distribution of minimum kits to public primary schools;
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Establishment of human rights clubs in secondary schools;
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Training of Trainers in human rights by the National Commission on Human
Rights and Liberties;
Cameroon will rely on domestic resources and international cooperation to fund this
project.